Past Event
A joint initiative by the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum (QOSM) and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Olympic Heritage | Artists in Residence programme aims to push the boundaries of how audiences experience the Olympic Games by bringing together the creative power of digital art with the Olympic Games’ historic and cultural significance.
The Open Call closed on 31 May 2025, and we were thrilled to receive a wide range of inspiring proposals from artists spanning six continents.
Our esteemed international jury met on 9 July to shortlist the proposals and has now concluded its deliberations. We are delighted to introduce the selected artists!
29-year-old Rayvenn Shaleigha D’Clark, a digital sculptor from London has been selected for the Qatar residency.
Rayvenn’s practice explores race, representation, and digital hybridity in contemporary art. Her work blends digital with sculptural methods, focusing on nuanced representations of Black anatomy. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree (2024), her recent work includes a major public commission for the Equal Justice Initiative, Montgomery, Alabama.
“Ravvenn’s proposal is a very exciting blend of digital technologies with traditional sculptural methods. The strong focus on female athletes from the Global South highlights underrepresented stories. Overall a compelling and innovative concept with significant impact.”
32-year-old video artist, Alioune Thiam, from Senegal has been selected for the Swiss residency.
Alioune specialises in projection mapping and interactive installations. His work explores the impact of digital technology on Senegalese and African culture through immersive audio-visual creations. In 2022 he became the first Senegalese artist in residence at the Dominicans of Haute Alsace Cultural Centre, France with his project ‘ARTIST 2.0 The Creative Scope of Digital Technology’.
“The artist’s proposal is a creative , immersive and participatory installation that reimagines the African talking drum as a conduit between ancestry memory and Olympic heritage. A creative and engaging proposal that focuses on inclusion and digital innovation. Especially relevant in the perspective of the first youth Olympic games on the African continent.”
“ Since its creation, the Olympic Museum has strived to preserve and share the rich legacy of the Olympic Movement while embracing innovation to keep that heritage alive and relevant. ”Yasmin Meichtry, Olympic Museum Associate Director and Chair of the Jury
“The Olympic Heritage | Artists-in-Residence Programme embodies this spirit perfectly by honouring the past through the lens of young contemporary artists working with digital media. We warmly congratulate Rayvenn and Alioune, our inaugural residents, and look forward to seeing how their creativity and innovative use of digital tools will open new artistic pathways to express and transmit the Olympic values to today’s audiences.”
Our winners will be exploring the collections, archives and stories at their chosen museum, and will have the opportunity to be mentored by members of the eminent jury.
The residencies will take place from 1 October to 1 December 2025 in Doha and Lausanne, with artists gaining exclusive access to museum collections.
As part of this initiative, completed artworks will be accessioned into the permanent collections of QOSM and the Olympic Museum, contributing to a growing legacy of Olympic-inspired art in both institutions. Artists will also benefit from a range of professional development opportunities during the programme.
The Olympic Heritage | Artists in Residence programme is an extraordinary opportunity for artists to engage with the world of sports culture. Photo: Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, Doha © Qatar Museums
A joint initiative by the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum and the Olympic Museum. Photo: The Olympic Museum, Lausanne, Switzerland © 2022 – The Olympic Museum – All rights reserved
The studio space for the artists in Doha. Photo: Fire Station studios, Doha © Qatar Museums
The studio space for the selected artist at Switzerland. Photo: La Becque Artist Residence, La Tour-de-Peilz, photo Roger Frei © La Becque Residences
Objects on display at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum. Photo: © Qatar Museums
Olympic medals displayed from various Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Photo: © 2024 – The Olympic Museum – All rights reserved
Turner prize winner Douglas Gordon’s Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum. Photo: © Qatar Museums
The residency provides artists with access to museum collections, mentorship, expert support and resources. Photo: © 2022 – The Olympic Museum – All rights reserved
The Olympic Heritage | Artists in Residence Open Call invited artists from around the world to explore the intersection of art, sport, and digital culture. Launched in partnership with the Olympic Museum Lausanne, this initiative offers a unique opportunity for two selected artists to develop an artwork that reflects Olympic Values and resonates with global audiences.