Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums, inaugurated three new exhibitions at M7, Qatar’s innovation hub for fashion, design, and technology. The openings mark the Autumn/Winter 2026-2027 edition of Qatar Creates, a cultural initiative aimed at fostering global creative dialogue and cultural exchange.
The exhibitions—“Around the World in Jewelry,” “ERDEM: About Time, About Her,” and “Expanded Tradition: Contemporary Craft Practices in Mexico”—reflect diverse artistic narratives and highlight collaboration with international partners. Prior to the opening, curators conducted a media tour to introduce the themes and significance of the exhibits.
M7 Director Maha al-Sulaiti noted that since its establishment five years ago, the center has become a vital platform for Qatar’s creative community, showcasing seasonal exhibitions that build connections between museums and collections. She emphasized the role of M7 in bringing prominent global brands and innovative programming to Qatar’s artistic landscape.
The “Around the World in Jewelry” exhibition, organized by Qatar Museums in partnership with LECOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, presents over 500 items spanning different cultures and historical periods. This represents the largest display from Qatar Museums’ collections to date and incorporates works from Van Cleef & Arpels’ heritage collection. The exhibition features jewelry, artworks, photographs, and sculptures drawn from institutions including the National Museum of Qatar, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the future Lusail Museum.
The exhibit is structured around seven thematic areas—sea and ocean, nature, the cosmos, adornment, status, customs and ceremonies, and protection—to examine the cultural meanings behind jewelry and its roles throughout human history. A dedicated interactive space for children aged four to 10, called “Children’s Square,” offers educational activities linked to the exhibition’s themes, marking the first child-focused area at M7.
“ERDEM: About Time, About Her” celebrates the 20th anniversary of the British-Turkish designer Erdem Moralioglu and marks part of the Qatar-Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture. The retrospective features 150 pieces, including garments, sketches, studio materials, and personal memorabilia. The exhibition traces Moralioglu’s evolving creative vision across five thematic sections and incorporates related works from the Museum of Islamic Art’s collection, highlighting fashion’s capacity to convey cultural narratives.
The third exhibition, “Expanded Tradition: Contemporary Craft Practices in Mexico,” is curated in collaboration with the Maers of Culture initiative and is also part of the Qatar-Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture. It showcases a new generation of Mexican artisans who reinterpret traditional craft techniques in modern contexts. The exhibition includes more than 100 objects across various disciplines such as fashion and textile design, jewelry, furniture, and pottery, featuring materials like gourds, white clay, and ceramics.
Together, these exhibitions illustrate Qatar’s commitment to cultural dialogue and the promotion of creative innovation both locally and internationally.