Qatar unveils desert sculpture

(MENAFN- Arab News) Doha: four steel plates rise out of qatar's desert sands like behemoths symbolizing according to us artist richard serra who created the sculpture the connection between the wealthy gulf state's two regions

The sculpture east-west/west-east was unveiled on tuesday in a desert area around 60 km from the capital doha by the sister of qatar's emir who has been named by britain's artreview as the most influential figure in the art world

The sculpture which consists of four steel plates which rise to heights varying between 14.7 meters (48 feet) and 16.7 meters was commissioned by sheikha mayassa bint hamad bint al-thani

The emir's sister was named the most influential figure in the art world in a 'power list" published by britain's artreview magazine in october

She has around $1 billion a year to spend on art as head of the qatar museums authority (qma) according to artreview — 30 times more than new york's museum of modern art

'sheikha mayassa asked me if i would build a piece in the desert. i went to several deserts with... a bedouin... and i like this desert the most" said serra renowned for his metal sculptures

'the pieces connect two regions of the landscapes... it brings this peninsula together with the sea on one side and the sea on the other" the artist told reporters at the unveiling

Qatar which has just 1.5 million inhabitants is trying to establish itself as the region's cultural hub

The gas-rich gulf state hosts several museums and galleries including the museum of islamic art the largest of its kind in the region

The qatar museums authority bought french post-impressionist paul cezanne's masterpiece 'the card players" for $250 million in 2012 making it the most expensive painting ever sold.