It is the first time that contemporary Latin American art has such an important sample in Western Asia and North Africa. And the Malba Museum is the main protagonist of the exhibition called “Latin American, modern and contemporary art of the Malba and Eduardo F. Costantini collections ” And it will be open until mid -July in the National Museum of Qatar.
More than 170 works by 100 artists traveled to that museum to be exhibited for the first time. There, the visitor can find essential pieces of these two Argentine collections, such as “Self -portrait with Chango and Loro” by Frida Kahlo, “Dance in Tehuantepec” by Diego Rivera, “The widower” by Fernando Botero and “The threatening bird” by Antonio Berni, among other important pieces. In the esplanade of the building, “The sculpture of dreams” by Marta Minujín receives visitors.
“Latin American” is a key chapter of the “Year of the Qatar culture, Argentina and Chile 2025” A program of cultural approach and friendship between countries, which will have other artistic activities, sporting events and residences.
Exhibition curators were María Amalia García, Chief curator of Malba, and Issa al Shirawi, co-curator and chief of international exhibitions of Qatar Museums.
At the inauguration it was present His excellence Sheikha al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al ThaniPresident of Qatar Museums and central figure of artistic development in the region. From Buenos Aires he traveled Teresa Bulgheroni, current vice president of the Malba Foundation and main driver of the project. They were also Mohammed Saad al Rumaihi, general director of Qatar Museums; Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Thani, director of the National Museum of Qatar and Rodrigo Moura, artistic director of Malba.
Regarding “Latin American” and the projection of our art in the Middle East, news spoke with Teresa Bulgheroni.
News: What does Malba represent to show your important collection outside the borders of Argentina?
Teresa Bulgheroni: It is enormous satisfaction and great responsibility. I dare to say that it is a milestone in the history of Malba and Latin American art in general. Being able to take it to new audiences and demonstrate that our visual history has a universal power. As I always say, art is a bridge between cultures and this case is no exception. In addition, it is the result of the great work carried out by the teams of Malba and the National Museum of Qatar, commanded by co-duras Marita García and Issa Al Shirawi. And recognition of the sustained work that we have been doing for years to project the museum internationally.
News: How did the idea of this association with the National Museum of Qatar arise?
Bulgheroni: It all started from the growing interest in the Arab world after the World Cup. I knew Abu Dhabi and Dubai but I hadn’t visited Qatar. He knew, however, the cultural commitment of his excellence Sheikha to Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has managed to turn Doha into the art capital of the Middle East, even more with the alliance with Art Basel. Since 2022 he was talking with some contacts in the Middle East about a possible collaboration with Malba and Qatar’s proposal was the most solid. In addition, the curator of the National Museum of Qatar, Zeina Arida, could see in Buenos Aires the exhibition “Third Eye”, which brings together works from the Malba collection and that of Eduardo Costantini. We meet the Biennial of Venice and, from there, we quickly advance with the agreement.
News: What was the reception once the sample opened?
Bulgheroni: It was truly exciting. The works aroused a lot of interest, both by the general public and specialists from the art world. See how artists like Frida Kahlo, Antonio Berni, Wilfredo Lam, Diego Rivera or Xul Solar They are discovered by new audiences, in such a different cultural context, it is a very enriching experience. There was a great openness and a deep respect for the curatorial proposal and towards the history that these works bring. In the inauguration were the Ministers of Culture of France, of Egypt, artists such as Jeff Koons and curators such as Hans Ulrich, among others. The links between our region and the Arab world have deep roots, visible both in history and in everyday life. This collaboration gives us a unique opportunity to explore these connections from art and generate new spaces for mutual reflection and understanding. It is a new path that opens.
The founder’s return
With the 25th anniversary of the creation of Malba on the horizon, on September 21, 2026, Eduardo Costantini reasumes the presidency of the Foundation. “It is a very significant moment for Malba, which has a quarter of a century of sustained growth,” said the businessman. In the role of vice president who returns after his time through the presidency, Teresa Bulgheroni will be focused from now on in the international museum project.
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