Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, chairperson of the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) and sister of the Emir, has been named one of the world’s most influential people by Time Magazine.
Dubbed “Qatar’s transformative patron of the arts,” the Sheikha has long been considered a heavyweight in the art world. In 2011, she was ranked the industry’s most influential person by Art & Auction magazine, and in 2012, she debuted on Forbe’s Most Powerful Women list.
World-famous visual artist Takashi Murakami, who held an art exhibition in Qatar in 2012, wrote an accolade to Al Thani for the Time 100 list. He writes:
“(She) has chosen to use the resources at her disposal to give her people access to the world’s best art and to promote intercultural understanding. This choice is not an easy one, nor should it be taken for granted.
Coming from Japan, where art that is challenging in nature faces an opposition that at times feels institutional, I am highly moved by her vision and her strong passion for art.”
Challenges
Challenges to art are not absent in Qatar, either. QMA has had its share of controversy in recent months, after hosting several high-profile artists and their works over the past year.
One point of contention was QMA’s initial decision to install a now infamous “head-butt” statue, a five-meter bronze statue of two fighting footballers, on the Corniche. The artwork was later moved to the Museum of Modern Arab Art (Mathaf), but has not yet been put up again for public display.
Another issue within the Qatari community has been how QMA spends its large budget. Last year, acting CEO and director Edward Dolman and other organization leaders came under fire for how much they were being paid.
Sheikha Al Mayassa sent a memo to staffers at the time expressing her support for Dolman. However, Dolman announced earlier this month that he will not be renewing his contract with QMA, and is leaving to pursue other projects.
Other Qatar residents have also made it to the top 100 list in the past. In 2012, Qatar’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani was ranked, and in 2011, former Al Jazeera English reporter Ayman Mohyeldin joined the list.
Thoughts?
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Being uber rich and be able to spend government money on your pet projects of course makes you very ‘influential’
LOL I was thinking the same thing. If I had a basically blank check I could be the most humnanitrian philanthropist, largest heavy weight in the art world, etc. Oh and most idiotic WC site.
Such negativity, do you people have anything constructive to do with your day or is spewing venom at Qatar your idea of passing time?
My comment was not loaded with venom, just stating the facts. If you are blind to inherited wealth through the accident of birth then you are a good loyal citizen my friend.
same same
Just saying that it’s easy being WHATEVER you want when you have tons of cash. Her background is NOT art and obviously is getting consulting from those in the know. By pulling out a check book she becomes an instant art connoisseur and world power in the art world? Hardly.
well Hillary Clinton also made the list; one could say the same about her
Her wealth pales in comparison with this lady and what she has access to. Her influence stems from the US being the world’s no.1 superpower.
LOL Not so sure its the No.1 anymore… china and Russia seem to be putting a big dent in things these days.
Russia is having to scramble to protect ethnic Russians on its own borders, and China is having to mobilize to claim islands off it’s own shoreline. Who’s really on the defensive? Don’t believe the media hype and spin.
Yes and the US has Militia wanting to fight the Federal Gov and dispute its validity (Cliven Bundy) and the US Middle class is in serious decline. If there is no middle class then the US can easily slip into 3rd world status. Believe me… I love my country but in all modesty and honesty the US has issues. Hard to call it number one until we get our S&*t straight. Ya know what I’m saying?
Absolutely. The US is #1 on the basis of size and volume. In virtually every per capita measurement–education, health, safety, wealth, etc. etc.–it is seriously slipping behind.
China is catching up but not there yet. Russia can only bully weak neighbours and play dirty games, their economy is a disaster.
well Hillary Clinton also made the list; one could say the same about her
Her influence is subject to checks & balances system monitored by free press.
She’s a white American. Your argument is invalid !
How about another list of politically influential women of color who were dictating policies for the rulers of Gulf region! Can you name one?
I can certainly do !
She has done a very good job and deserves some credit. But I hope that one day she turns some of her ambition towards the welfare of the people that come to build this country. I’d like to see her incorporate her love for art with some type of campaign to abolish Kafalah and encourage the humane treatment of low wage workers in this country.
All due respect to her for her accomplishments, but any “most influential people in the world” list that includes Miley Cyrus and Beyonce and not Bill and Melinda Gates (microsoft and now head of the world’s largest charitable foundation) or Larry Page and Sergey Brin (google) is hard to take that seriously.
Her Highness Sheikha Al Mayassa is an inspiration for a lot of young people like myself. She deserves all the appreciation and accolades for her work in the art world. She has achieved so much in such a short span of time. I agree that she has trillions of resources at her disposal that makes everything easy, but one need compassion and vision to achieve such heights. So none should disregard that.
After watching her TED presentation and reading about her in both national and international news, there is no doubt that she is a very intelligent, articulate and inspirational person who is influencing a great many locals and residents alike! Having access to these resources is just an added bonus!