Prompting local experiences and highlighting the aesthetics of arts and creativity by Qatari artists of various attitudes and schools, the al-Markhiya gallery is showcasing the works of three diverse Qatari artists at its gallery at Katara Art Centre (KAC) these days.
The joint art exhibition brings together the works of Qatari artists Masoud al-Buloshi, Mubarak al-Malik and Lulu M. The participating artists are showcasing a large collection of artworks that address the ideas of identity, homeland, women, traditions and modern arts. Each artist is exhibiting seven works varying between different contemporary art schools.
Al-Buloshi is a rising artist from Qatar who is quickly making his mark on the vibrant local art scene. He has been painting for years and has attained a gradual and rewarding level of artistic success. Starting painting in early 90s, he has been a member of Qatar’s Fine Arts Society.
Al-Buloshi has been participating in their group exhibitions since 1997, and has won both local and regional awards. He has also lectured about art and facilitated workshops, and experimented with a wide variety of forms, including both realism and abstraction, and media, including charcoal, water colours and oil and acrylic paint. 
His more recent works tend to be abstract, but he often returns to realism from time to time. Buloshi has been holding solo exhibitions in addition to participating in group shows. His first solo exhibition was at the Qatari Hosh for Arts in Souq Waqif, and the second was held in Katara.
Entitled the Self, it focused on his recent abstract works, many of which feature veiled women. Buloshi has also been into teaching visual art by facilitating workshops at Katara Art Studios and various venues in Souq Waqif.
Mubarak al-Malik picked up graffiti art around four years ago, teaching himself by watching YouTube videos after famous artists like Banksy made the idea of graffiti as art more popular.
Al-Malik’s work, featuring vibrantly coloured Qatari women, traditional symbols and chunky graffiti prints, has appeared on numerous abandoned buildings around the country. His pieces are also part of a specially curated collection of artwork at Hamad International Airport.
Al-Malik, whose work focuses on black and white portraits and horses, is also one of the few Qatari artists choosing airbrushing as his favoured medium. However, in the exhibition he is showcasing his acrylic on canvas work.
Born in Doha, he has Bachelor’s degree in education from Qatar University and is the members of Qatar Fine Art Society, the Youth Creative Art Centre and Souq Waqif Art Centre. Al-Malik takes every opportunity to popularise the graffiti form of art in Qatar, where he thinks it has not attained the recognition it deserves — he believes it is more than just spray paint on the wall.
Lulu M is a self-taught painter who draws inspiration from artists experimenting with different painting methods, materials and techniques. She approaches painting most often working with poured resin. Her minimalist abstract compositions express pure emotion through colour and form.
Born in London in 1978, she has a BA in business from Yarmouk University in Jordan. Lulu has most recently exhibited at Castor Gallery in New York City and is completing her first artist residency at the Fire Station in Doha. Her works are a part of international collections as well as Mathaf’s. 
Al Markhiya Gallery was established with a mission to promote and represent a distinctive group of emerging and established Arab artists in Qatar, the region and throughout the world. It seeks partnerships with major galleries throughout the world. This network will facilitate exchanges of exhibitions and increase exposure for local and regional talent.