MFA Student Completes Minneapolis–St. Paul Mural Inspired by Qatar–USA Cultural Exchange | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

MFA Student Completes Minneapolis–St. Paul Mural Inspired by Qatar–USA Cultural Exchange

January 10, 2026
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Mubarak Nasser Al-Thani, mural
Mubarak Nasser Al-Thani

A new large-scale mural by Qatari contemporary artist and current MFA student Mubarak Nasser Al-Thani is bringing the legacy of the Qatar–USA 2021 Year of Culture to the Twin Cities. Completed this month, the work reimagines iconic Minneapolis–St. Paul landmarks through a bold, geometric visual language that reflects both Middle Eastern and Midwestern influences.

The mural features stylized depictions of well-known structures including the Foshay Tower, Stone Arch Bridge, IDS Center, Wells Fargo Tower, the Cedar complex, and the Minnesota State Capitol. Rendered in bright colors and clean, minimal forms, the composition functions as a visual map of the metro area’s architectural identity.

Known for deconstructing and reassembling urban landscapes, Al-Thani incorporates repeating patterns and broken sequences drawn from Arabian aesthetics. For this mural, he aimed to capture the openness and rhythm of the Midwest while weaving in visual motifs from his Qatari heritage, creating a dialogue between the Middle East and Minnesota.

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