Emerging artist's exhibition to open in Baku next week
By Nigar Orujova
The first solo exhibition of emerging Azerbaijani artist Ramal Kazimov will open at the non-for-profit Yay Gallery in the capital Baku on November 30.
The works displayed at the exhibition feature a tenacious study of the human body, visually expanding the discourse on figuration in contemporary art.
25-year old Kazimov's expressively realist figures immediately and bluntly address tabooed imagery and issues in Azerbaijan. Using strategies of shock and provocation, the compositions generate "presence" of the models through both pose and a sinuous and expressive painting technique.
Stylistically echoing the works of Francis Bacon and Edvard Munch, Kazimov's compositions frankly compose a visual diary of human experience through keen observation and excessive curiosity. The figures are representative of an experimental portraiture that dwells on the border between figuration and abstraction.
His paintings' mature and expressive realism immediately attracted the attention of professional critics.
Kazimov staunchly supports the forms of humanism and denounces injustice. However, with patience, gentleness, and a refined stylistic eye, Kazimov's works such as "Abstinence" and "Abandoned" simultaneously address social issues and imbue the figures with a degree of sympathy and compassion.
Kazimov's previous exhibitions include the Merging Bridges by YARAT! Contemporary Art Space at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Baku in 2012, Germany with the Eye of Azerbaijani Painters in 2011, Foreword by YARAT! in 2011, 60th anniversary of formation of Israeli Government in 2007, and Near East University of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 2006.
The first Azerbaijani contemporary art gallery, YAY! Gallery, opened its doors on October 10 in Icherisheher (Old City), a historic architectural monument in the center of the capital Baku.
The gallery is expected to turn into a venue of artistic experiments and YARAT!-implemented projects' center.
The YAY! Gallery, like YARAT! Art Space, was established by Mrs. Aida Makhmudova and pursues the purpose of presenting contemporary Azerbaijani art entirely and in an interesting way as well as putting the exhibition participants next to trendy names in world art.
Founded in 2011, YARAT! is dedicated to the promotion and nurturing of Azerbaijani contemporary art locally and worldwide. A key objective of YARAT! is to promote dialogue and exchanges with non-commercial art foundations both in Azerbaijan and abroad.