Katara Unveils Portuguese Artist Cristina Alves’s ‘Shaping the Trace’ Exhibition in Doha

Opening Ceremony

In Qatar, the Cultural Village Foundation – Katara opened the exhibition “Shaping the Trace: The Evolution of Artistic Practice” by Portuguese artist Cristina Alves. Katara said the opening was attended by its General Manager, Prof Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, alongside several ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic missions, and a group of artists and enthusiasts of the visual arts. The event highlights Qatar’s commitment to fostering international cultural exchange.

Exhibition Overview

The show was organised jointly with the Embassy of the Portuguese Republic in Qatar and presents 54 artworks selected from various stages of the artist’s creative journey. It traces the development of her visual language and technical approach, moving from early experiments in sculpture and form to later mural works and richly textured sculptural compositions.

Artistic Approach and Themes

Alves employs a diverse range of natural and recycled materials, including natural fibres, recycled fabrics, ropes, shells, stones, metallic elements and pigments, to examine the relationship between matter, form and memory. Her works have evolved into a distinctive style she calls “Orisascape”, where organic elements intertwine with sculptural structures. The pieces reflect her interest in natural details, the traces left by time and the transformations objects undergo. Themes covered include identity, human memory and nature, with some works inspired by the sea and coastal communities, while others explore balance, liberation, change and continuity. The exhibition highlights her ability to transform simple, discarded materials into a new visual vocabulary, imbuing them with a presence and meaning that transcend their original functions.

Visitor Information

The exhibition will be open to visitors from October 15 to October 28, 2026, in Hall 2 of Building 47, between 10am and 10pm. It aims to foster artistic and cultural exchange, offering the public a chance to engage with diverse international artistic practices and discover new trends and approaches in contemporary visual arts.