Doha: Qatar Museums announced the presentation of two major exhibitions celebrating the life and career of I. M. Pei, the architect behind the Museum of Islamic Art and a prominent figure in 20th-century architecture. The exhibitions will open to the public on 30 October 2025.
According to Qatar News Agency, the first exhibition, titled “I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture,” will be presented at Al Riwaq Gallery in collaboration with M+ Hong Kong. This marks the first full-scale retrospective of Pei’s seven-decade career. Concurrently, “I. M. Pei and the Making of the Museum of Islamic Art: From Square to Octagon and Octagon to Circle” will be organized by the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in collaboration with the future Art Mill Museum (AMM). It offers an in-depth exploration of Pei’s design for one of Doha’s most celebrated cultural landmarks.
The dual exhibitions provide a comprehensive perspective on Pei’s work. Curated by M+, the traveling exhibition “I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture” features over 400 objects, including drawings, models, photographs, films, and archival materials from various collections. These items reveal Pei’s vision and his global influence, from the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., to the Grand Louvre in Paris, the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.
Sheikha Reem Al-Thani, Acting Deputy CEO of Exhibitions, Public Art, and Rubaiyat Qatar at Qatar Museums, expressed the institution’s honor in hosting the exhibition, highlighting the profound insights it offers into Pei’s impact on modern architecture. She emphasized the collaboration with M+ Hong Kong, which exemplifies international cooperation and cultural exchange.
The exhibition “I. M. Pei and the Making of the Museum of Islamic Art” traces Pei’s journey to define “the essence of Islamic architecture.” It showcases his creative process in developing the Museum, which was commissioned in 1999 by the Father Amir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Director of the Museum of Islamic Art, Shaika Nasser Al Nassr, highlighted the masterpiece Pei created, which has become a symbol of Doha and an inspiration to all its visitors.
The exhibitions, running until 14 February 2026, will include a public program featuring talks, tours, workshops, and educational activities. These initiatives aim to offer a deeper understanding of Pei’s creative legacy and his influence in Qatar. “I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture” is divided into six thematic sections, exploring Pei’s engagement with various social, cultural, and biographical contexts.
Launched by M+ Hong Kong, the exhibition began its world tour after its initial run in Hong Kong and later in Shanghai, where it attracted significant visitor numbers. Suhanya Raffel, Museum Director of M+, expressed pride in continuing the exhibition’s journey in Doha, emphasizing its significance in showcasing Pei’s work on the Museum of Islamic Art.
Meanwhile, “I. M. Pei and the Making of the Museum of Islamic Art” provides insight into the development of one of the 21st century’s architectural masterpieces. Curated by Aur©lien Lemonier and Zahra Khan, in collaboration with Dr. Mounia Chekhab Abudaya, the exhibition unfolds Pei’s creative journey, inspired by his visits to Islamic sites.
In parallel with the exhibitions, Qatar Museums will launch a new program titled “Architecture and Design, Turning Vision Into a Universal Dialogue,” forming a platform for architectural discourse. This initiative is part of the “Evolution Nation” campaign, celebrating Qatar’s cultural journey over the past 50 years and highlighting cultural exchange and aspirations.