Sophia Al-Maria is a Qatari-American artist whose practice spans literature, film, and visual arts. She gained international prominence for her critical examination of the rapid modernization and societal shifts within the Gulf region, a concept she famously termed Gulf Futurism. Her work often bridges the gap between speculative fiction and documentary, reflecting on the impact of global capitalism and digital transformation.

Her signature approach involves the use of video installations, writing, and multimedia projects to interrogate how history and memory are constructed in the digital age. She frequently explores themes of alienation, environmental change, and the legacy of colonial structures, utilizing a distinct aesthetic that blends traditional motifs with futuristic, often dystopian, imagery.

Al-Maria continues to be a significant voice in contemporary art, with her work featured in major global institutions including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Tate Britain, and the Venice Biennale. Most recently, she has been included in the 2026 survey New Humans: Memories of the Future at the New Museum in New York, which examines the evolving relationship between human identity and technological advancement.