The Qatar Lounge, presented by Qatar Sports Investments and QC+ in partnership with Qatar Airways, concluded its engagement at this year’s Art Basel fair in Basel, Switzerland. The space aimed to showcase Qatar’s evolving arts ecosystem and promote the upcoming second edition of Art Basel Qatar, scheduled for January 26-30, 2027.
Designed as a serene retreat within the bustling international art fair, the Qatar Lounge featured design elements inspired by natural desert landscapes, incorporating limestone textures, smooth curves, and earthy mineral tones. The aesthetic sought to evoke a contemporary Arab sensibility, providing a setting for cultural dialogue and exchange among collectors, galleries, artists, and other stakeholders from around the world.
Culinary offerings were provided by Jiwan, the Michelin-recognized restaurant located at the National Museum of Qatar, further highlighting the country’s commitment to combining artistic and cultural experiences. The Lounge also presented a collaboration with Qatari artist Mubarak Nasser al-Thani, who designed the staff uniforms and a limited-edition series of items tied to the activation.
Throughout the event, the Lounge hosted several curated engagements. These included a presentation of Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League trophy and a meet-and-greet session with Wassan al-Khudhairi, the recently appointed artistic director for Art Basel Qatar 2027. Al-Khudhairi, known as the founding director of the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Qatar, will work alongside Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel’s chief artistic officer and global director of fairs, to develop the artistic and curatorial vision of the upcoming edition as well as to oversee gallery selections.
Additional activities featured artist Edgar Plans, who showcased a limited-edition collection of jerseys and posters resulting from an ongoing collaboration among Qatar Sports Investments, Paris Saint-Germain, and Art Basel. The Lounge also hosted a reception for Art Basel’s Discovery Program, an initiative designed to engage international lifestyle collectors with a curated fair experience.
Kirstin Mearns, CEO of QC+, described the Qatar Lounge as a key platform for fostering direct engagement with the global art community, emphasizing its role in building momentum following the inaugural Art Basel Qatar event held in Doha earlier this year. She noted that the Basel activation aimed to strengthen ties with collectors, galleries, artists, and cultural partners while generating interest ahead of the 2027 fair.
Art Basel Qatar, operated in partnership with Qatar Sports Investments and QC+, and supported by Qatar Airways as the Premium Partner, seeks to enhance the development of the regional art market through its annual fair and year-round programming. The initiative aims to connect galleries, artists, collectors, institutions, and audiences across the Global South and beyond, promoting sustained cultural dialogue and market growth.