NEXT GENERATION ARTIST

An Azerbaijani artist of Russian origin Zinaida Chernakova was selected the "Artist of the Year". Her Solidarity Day was one of the contestants at the exhibition With Our Success Until 2020 attended by 150 young artists, who presented to the jury and spectators 200 art works made in 2019. It is symbolic that the exhibition was held at the Shusha State Musical Theatre precisely on the Solidarity Day of World Azerbaijanis. Such events are very important and necessary, as they help to create a space of national culture, which attracts morally healthy, patriotic and educated youth, and help the next generation to understand the importance of its own role in the moral and intellectual development of the nation.

Zinaida Chernakova is a member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan and a doctoral student at the National Academy of Arts. She also teaches in the department of Artistic Ceramics, Glass and Metal of the academy. Like all native Bakuvites, she easily switches from Russian to Azerbaijani and back, as she is fluent in both languages. She prefers to read national literature in original language, as she believes that both poetry and prose include moments that more accurately and deeply express the author's idea in the Azerbaijani language.

It all started in childhood

Her peers from the Dimitrov Settlement on Kavkazskaya Street respected little Zina Chernakova for the tenacity of her character and persistence in getting to the very core of the matter. She has never complained if she did not know how to do something. Instead, she knew that she had to learn and find the way that would lead her to fulfil her dreams and achieve the goals. That is how she developed her character and personality. She started with drawing the caricatures of her teachers, which she regrets about even today, because she did not understand that she could offend them. Then she began modelling clothes. She liked making up cloth models for herself to be different with her original style and stand out from her peers who preferred the ready-to-wear style. So, Zina has gradually complicated her life by setting new goals each time. And the more difficult the task was, the more interesting and meaningful her life came to be. After mastering the Russian and Azerbaijani languages, she decided to study German and English. In parallel, she took lessons on cosmetology and computer science. It was the same principle from her childhood that was driving her forward: it is better to know and be able to do something than remaining ignorant and unable to do. Zina has never had tutors: she believed that any intelligent person could discipline himself in time and space in order to become more educated and intellectually richer—the moment one realises that the saying 'Knowledge is power' is not an empty phrase, but a conscious position. The main thing is to properly distribute the loads and spend time rationally. That is why it was easy for Zina to enter and graduate from the Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts with honours. She is now a doctoral student at the same academy. She is the author of several scientific articles on the history of art. Her professional interest and research area is applied art. As we mentioned above, Zinaida loves to complicate the life for herself with challenging problems that she also enjoys to solve. At some point in her professional career, she decided that theory (history of art) was dead without practice, and mastered the art of painting. Her works are presented at various exhibitions held in Baku. This is yet another achievement for a person who has proved to himself that there is nothing impossible!

Artist of the Year

"Did you expect to win when preparing for the exhibition?"

"I'm afraid my answer won't be original. At least I'll tell you the truth. I did not think about the result at all. I was impressed by the idea and the very process of creation. I was just working enjoying the process itself. It was important to be part of this process than a winner."

"In Solidarity Day you have drawn two open palms of a human. Is there any hidden meaning?"

"Yes. I would say there is a sacred meaning. The palms symbolise a prayer. It is about the eternal dialogue between Man and God. All Azerbaijanis around the world are engaged in this dialogue every day, be they at home or abroad. The main goal of any religion is to unite and reconcile peoples, regardless of race and religion."

"There is also a buta—a symbol of originating life—in-between the palms. Do you mean that only by speaking to God can we secure a harmonious life?"

"Well, it is so if you can see this. Everyone has the right to interpret the pieces of art individually. It's all about the spiritual rebirth of a person who knows how to be in dialogue with God."

"Are you proud of your success?"

"I am glad that my work has been noticed and awarded in such an honourable nomination."

"The work that brought you the award is done in the genre of graphics. Why did you choose to become a metal artist during your undergraduate studies? Isn't it hard for a female artist?"

"That's why I chose it. I'm interested in everything difficult. I do not like to go with the flow. Actually it's not that scary. And the metal we work with is also different. We usually use copper, brass, gold or silver. Each of these metals has characteristic features. For example, copper means plasticity and colourfulness, brass means hardness and glossiness. No need to mention the characteristics of gold and silver, as we all know them."

"Why did you stop working with metal and start painting?"

"No, I did not stop working with metal. In parallel, I began to study the art of drawing more carefully and scrupulously. Drawing is the basis of painting. There was a moment when I realised that I had to master this. I thought teaching theory and talking about painting without practical skills and understanding is wrong. I am grateful to my drawing teacher Mirzaagha Gafarov for teaching me the art of drawing. In general, I was always lucky with the teachers. My teacher Tahir Mammadov taught me the paints, colours, lights and shadows, spectrum and so on. Shahin Alipanahov instilled in me a love of metal. My mentor and guru is our esteemed rector Omar Eldarov, who has revealed to me the secrets of teaching art. All my teachers have put their skills, practical experience and knowledge into my training. So all my achievements today are the result of their efforts. I am immensely grateful to all of them."

"Some of your graphic works, like Mahatma Gandhi, have contain an array of esoteric symbols. Is this because of your interest in this kind of literature?"

"Not only. This is an attempt to convey the essence of the image through symbols. Well, a kind of attempt to understand the meaning of life."

"Do you understand it now?"

"I understood something, but I am still looking for something. I think that everything is simpler than it seems. The truth is that the only thing you need is to live and to enjoy life... Live the moment for those who love you."

"What is the life credo of the girl from the Kavkazskaya Street today?"

"It is all very simple actually: if you cannot do good things, stay away from doing bad ones!"

"Are you looking for a special meaning in everything, even in the leaf falling from tree?"

"I've tried to show this in the Autumn Waltz: everything goes through the stages of beginning, development and end. You start rethinking your life and your ultimate mission between these points."

"Does the Artist of the Year award encourage you professionally?"

"Yes. It triggers creative excitement and aesthetic pleasure, which give me a chance to hold an open dialogue with my audience. We—the people of art—always have something to discuss with our audience..."

"Who are your favourite authors?"

"Nizami, Mirza Alekber Sabir, Saib Tabrizi, Mammad Said Ordubadi, Samed Vurghun..."

"In Russian translation?"

"No, I enjoy reading them in original language."

"Can you name a few artists whose works still impress you?"

"Mirza Gadim Irevani, Azim Azimzade, Bahruz Kengerli, Sattar Bahlulzade, Boyukagha Mirzazade..."

"What are you working on now?"

"I'm researching the role of Azerbaijani cuisine in national cinema."

"What do you dream of making as a painter?"

"Portrait of my mother. I love and miss her very much, although we both live in the same city and see each other every day. She is my ideal! This is probably something from childhood."

"What do you personally want for yourself in life?"

"I just want to be always in demand as a person and as a professional."

"Well then... We congratulate you with your new title of the Artist of the Year. May the winds of Baku always push the sails of your life forward."

"Thanks."