Qatar

122-3553 – Diver on the ceiling

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This is the second sketch I did in Doha at the “Food Park” dining zone (on my way back from Iraq), where I had something to eat. According to Gemini AI (which often gets things wrong), the dining area is designed around the theme pearl diving (which Doha has a history of), and the diver is supposed to look like they are surrounded by a deep blue sea while diving for oysters. I can’t find any pictures of the sculpture online and (as often seems to be the habit) the artist is not credited anywhere I can see.

Fri-10-Jul-2026

122-3552 – Lamp/bear

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Anyone who travels through Doha might recognise this? It’s called ‘Untitled (Lamp/Bear) and is by Swiss artist Urs Fischer. According to the blurb on the notice in front of it, the bear is cast in bronze and rests peacefully against a lamp, “reminding travellers of childhood and precious objects from home”. Hmmm…given that the lamp actually goes through the bears body and intersects with it’s head (kind of like the intersection of Seth Brundle and the teleportation pod in “the fly”)… I am not sure it evokes the same feelings in me!

Tue-7-Jul-2026

122-3548-9 – Lounges on the way to Iraq

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PAGS lounge

Here are the sketches I did on the way to Erbil, Iraq for work. The first is at the PAGS (Philippine Airport and Ground Services) lounge. I was surprised to be bumped up to business class – the travel agent had offered an upgrade with a hefty extra cost and I said no thanks, but somehow I ended up in business class anyway. So although I always feel a little uncomfortable with luxury and being waited on, I took advantage of the free coffee and breakfast before leaving Manila.

Another lounge

The second sketch is of the Al-Mourjan business lounge in Doha. The PAGS lounge was much better – here there was only free coffee and no food. This sketch ended up almost abstract. By this point I was pretty tired, so that’s my excuse.

Tue-7-Jul-2026

74-2392 – Real or fake

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Here is an old sketch that has been hanging around in my sketchbook since earlier this month. This was the second sketch I did on the way to Türkiye from Manila – during my stopover in Doha. The area by the gate that left from had a series of trees – either real or really good fakes, I didn’t have time to take a closer look.

Sun-4-Jun-2023

74-2401 – Small lie by Kaws

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On my way back from Türkiye I had a very long layover (9 hours) in Doha. I started with this sketch (a huge wooden sculpture)…then slept in one of their ‘quiet rooms’. According to the blurb on a little sign this sculpture draws inspiration from pop culture and animations and is an exploration of humanity) Apparently it used to be installed at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park UK, Frieze Sculpture Park and Regent’s Park London, before it ended up here.

Sat-17-June-2023

1975 – Hamad international

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After two and a half years of not being able to travel, we finally managed to get a trip to the UK sorted out. We had a nightmarish departure from Manila with my wife almost missing the flight because of a spurious immigration issue, but eventually made it to Doha, where I sketched this while waiting for our connecting flight.

Sat-5-Feb-2022