Noguchi Museum Names Hitomi Iwasaki Head Curator; Art Basel Qatar Appoints Wael Shawky Artistic Director for 2026
Hitomi Iwasaki will take on the role of head curator and director of curatorial affairs at the Noguchi Museum in New York, beginning in September. Before this, she was the director of exhibitions and head curator at the Queens Museum. In other news, Art Basel Qatar has appointed Egyptian artist Wael Shawky as the artistic director for its first edition in Doha, set for February 5–7, 2026. The event, named “Becoming,” will adopt an open format, allowing exhibitors to showcase solo presentations that resonate with the central theme. This development follows Art Basel's announcement two months ago regarding its expansion into the Middle East.
Key facts
- Hitomi Iwasaki appointed head curator and director of curatorial affairs at Noguchi Museum
- Iwasaki previously director of exhibitions and head curator at Queens Museum
- Iwasaki started new role in September
- Art Basel Qatar named Wael Shawky artistic director for inaugural edition
- Art Basel Qatar edition scheduled for February 5–7, 2026 in Doha
- Event titled “Becoming”
- Format will be open with exhibitors presenting solo shows responding to theme
- Art Basel announced Middle East expansion two months prior
Entities
Artists
- Wael Shawky
Institutions
- Noguchi Museum
- Queens Museum
- Art Basel
- Art Basel Qatar
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Doha
- Qatar