Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded well-known Azerbaijani artist Tahir Salahov with the state prize of the Russian Federation "for contribution to the development of fine arts" on June 12.

The presentation ceremony of the state award in the fields of science, culture, and for achievements in humanitarian activities for 2012 was traditionally held on Russia Day, a national holiday of the Russian Federation devoted to the declaration of state sovereignty and celebrated on June 12, in St. George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.

This year's winners of the main state award were ten outstanding scientists and engineers, as well as four people of culture.

Presenting the award, President Putin said Tahir Salahov's works will be significant for future generations.

"His paintings reflect several periods in the history of our country. They tell us about the events, people, about how they lived, in a clear language of art," Putin said.

Tahir Salahov is winner of the State Prize of the USSR and Azerbaijan, Vice President of the Russian Academy of Arts, People's Artist of the USSR, Azerbaijan and Russia. He also holds other titles. He also served as first secretary of the Union of Artists of the USSR.

Salahov was born in 1928 in Baku. Salahov studied at the Azerbaijan Art College named after A.Azimzade in Baku and the Moscow Art Institute.

Works of Salahov not only do not lose their relevance, but also often surpass their time. His creative range is extremely broad, spanning the fields of painting, drawing and scenography. The moral issues that matter for people today can be clearly seen in his works.

Salahov's early works caught the attention of art lovers and were successfully exhibited at major shows, bought by Moscow museums and awarded international prizes.

Salahov paints his family and friends with great love. Such works as "Aidan", "Alagez - the Legend of the East" and a series of images of his wife are full of kindness and warmth.

One of the most famous early portraits of Salahov is the picture of Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev. A few people know how much preliminary work - sketches and drawings - the artist had to do before this portrait was ready.

His works do not embellish or distort reality, but sincerely reflect the contradictions and hopes of the era in such works as "Plowed Field", "Wild Lands", "Repairmen", "Women of Absheron" and "The New Sea".

Works of Salahov are represented in major museums of Russia and other countries, including the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow Museum of Modern Art, National Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow, Russia State Museum, the Research Museum under the Russian Academy of Fine Arts (St. Petersburg), the Azerbaijan State Museum of Art (Baku), as well as in many public and private collections of the world. He has regularly participated in major national, academic and thematic exhibitions.