Habeeb Abu-Futtaim

Specialization

Modern & Contemporary Arab Art, Art Market, Contemporary Art Theory and Philosophy

Education

PGCert (Master of Arts), Museum and Gallery Practice – University College London, 2018

BFA, Painting and Printmaking with a Minor in Art History – Virginia Commonwealth University, 2016

Biography

Habeeb M. Abu-Futtaim is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and an Arab art specialist based in Doha. Born and raised in Qatar with a multi-cultural Hadhrami background, he holds a BFA in Painting and Printmaking and a minor in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. He later pursued a Master’s in Museum and Gallery Practice from University College London. Abu-Futtaim has been part of several Biennials and group shows internationally including Berlin, Dubai, Doha, Santa Cruz, and more, alongside notable Arab artists. His work is part of several important collections including the Barjeel Art Foundation, Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Cruz, and other private collections. Abu-Futtaim co-founded and led the Modern and Contemporary Arab Art Auctions at AlBahie Auction House in Doha for over six years from 2017-2024 and helped with the presence and growth of the Arab art market in the region and internationally. Abu-Futtaim is currently a Junior Faculty and Artist in Residence with the Department of Painting and Printmaking at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar.

Research Interests

• Decolonial art practices in the Arab region and the Global South 
• Development of new Art market models within the Arab Region 
• Issues of cultural representation in contemporary Art in the Gulf 
• Western liberal art and fine art education in the Arab region and its impact on cultural production

Teaching Experience

PAPR490 Business of Art (Elective)

PAPR390 Junior Seminar (core)

PAPR290 Concepts & Issues (Core) 

ARTF Project Class (Core)

Exhibitions

this Sand is made of Stars, this Sea is made of Pearls-Horizon Historiographies,

curated by Dr. Hesperia lliadou Suppiej, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, VCUarts Qatar, Doha

On Echoes of Invisible Hearts, Curated by Lila Nazemian I Friedrich-Ebert Foundation, Berlin, Germany

The Blue Hour, Curated by Mo Reda, Museo de Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Back To Musheirb: Shared Streets, Shared Stories, Musherib Museums, Doha-Oatar

Curatorial Team I Concept Development, Object Research, Narrative and Exhibition Design

XX Bienal Internacional de Artes Visuales de Santa Cruz de las Sierra(Santa Cruz Biennial), Santa Cruz, Bolivia Curator: Mo Reda I Chief Curator: Eduardo Ribera

Art & Medicine, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Student Center, Qatar Foundation,

Curatorial Team and Participating Artist

Domestic Affairs: A House Is A Home To A Paradox, Garage Gallery, Fire Station Museum, Oatar

We’re In The Same Room, Katara Arts Centre, Katara, Doha-Oatar

The Post-Oriental Odyssey, The Mine Gallery, Dubai-UAE. Curated by Mo Reda