INTERVIEW WITH A "FORMER OPTIMIST"

The name of this artist is well-known in Azerbaijan and far beyond. His works are displayed at the artists'unions of Azerbaijan and Russia, the Azerbaijan MustafayevState Museum of Fine Arts, the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, the Albertina Museum in Vienna, the executive offices of oil companies BP and Pennzoil, as well as private collections in Azerbaijan and abroad. The Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan, a member of the Artists' Union, one of the founders of Azerbaijani art group The Labyrinth,Eliyar Alimirzayev, has participated in numerous international exhibitions and symposia in France, China, South Korea, Poland, Germany, Denmark, the United States, etc. In 2003-04, his workswere exhibited in an international art salon in Paris, where the Azerbaijani artist won the Grand Prix for his painting Phoenixes. Recently, the Museum of Modern Art hosted an exhibition Treasures of Art, where jewellery from well-known brand Van Cleef&Arpels was displayed. Paintings of the artist were also displayed in the exhibition which was attended by VCA President Stanislas de Quercize, the director of the Louvre, Henri Loyrette, and French film star Catherine Deneuve. Today Eliyar Alimirzayevis a guest of R +.

- You have been painting since childhood. When did you decide to become an artist? Is painting a profession for you, a way of making your living, or is it more of a creative inspiration, a fascination?

- This is my life. This is both a profession and a way of earning a living. It is the most natural language for me to communicate with the outside world. From the earliest years of my life I was always drawing something: on the walls, on paper, anything that came to hand. Painting for me was a kind of mysterywhich was accessible to a few. When I was about 10 I was completely immersed in painting; I attended a drawing class at the Gagarin House of Pioneers. I took lessons in artfrom one of the best teachers of the time,CingizAbdullayev. Figuratively speaking, it was him who inspired my interest in painting. And by the time I was 15 I already knew that I would be an artist. In my opinion, being an artist is not even a profession, it's a way of thinking, of living, a world outlook. I have never felt anyone other than an artist.

- Did you try to emulateany great artist in your younger years?

- When I was younger, there were almost no art catalogues or books. This was a real lack in our country, which was shut off from the rest of the world at the time. The Soviet Union was dominated by a different ideology. It is therefore not surprising that I did not admire Rembrandt. The designers of monotonous posters and banners "Long live the CPSU!" were much more popular. After leaving high school, I enrolled in the Azim Azimzada Art School. I was very lucky. While at the school, I met such prominent people as the patriarch of our national art school, People's Artist of Azerbaijan RasimBabayev, artists Kamal Ahmad and Cavad Mircavadov. Communication with them formed my outlook.They told me what is good and what is bad in this life. These people are still very authoritative for me. As for the artists I tried to emulate in my youth, I should say that first I admired the works of Konstantin Korovin. Then I began to feel and understand the great paintings by Modigliani. As a student I remember trying to emulate this artist. I even painted in the same style as Modigliani. Then I found my own style.

- Almost all your works are finished in moderate tones. Why do you give preference to "bland" colours? Is it anything to do with your nature?

- Your observation is correct: my works are mainly painted in dark colours. I think this is related to my character. I am not a very open person. I would even say that I have some complexes and am not an optimist ... (thinks). Let's put it this way: I was an optimist. Of course, a picture reflects the character of its creator, whether he does it intentionally or not. After all, a painting is a living letter. And colour is the soul of a painting, its foundation. I do not know how the form and the painting act. Colour is like sound, it is exciting, intriguing! A strong vibrant voice is poured into space and window panes shake! The impact of colour is the same, but silent. When I work on a painting, I never know beforehand what it will lead to. Every day for a month or two,I quietly apply layers of paint, not so much on the canvas, but on my own soul. But if I feel that something is "scratching" in my heart, that I don't like the painting, I remove all the layers and start again. So, initially conceived as a still life, a painting can turn into ... a naked woman.

- Speaking about women…Most of your paintings are dedicated to the fairer sex…

- (smiling) What could be more beautiful than women? I am trying to depict a collective image of woman on canvas.

- All your works contain a coded psychological undertone. For instance, TheLast Supper. Tell us how this picture was born?

- It was conceived nearly two years earlier ... I wanted to do something unusual, not like any of my previous works. Then I decided to step back a little from the usual understanding of the picture and "revive" it using ordinary ... buckets. Yes, simple tin buckets. After removing the bottom from the 12 buckets, I placed them on ready-made elements of the huge canvas. It turned out that at the bottom of each bucket there was a "reflection" of the palm of one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. Viewers can see the Face of Christ by looking at the bottom of a large iron cauldron. However, the main "trick" of the painting is the fact that at the bottom of the 13thbucket there is a mirror which reflectseveryone looking at the canvas. In this unusual way I wanted to involve the audience, make it a member of the sacred mystery. I think I have succeeded in that.

- Many naively believe that art can only be a hobby, and that it is impossible to make a living with it. What do you think?

- For me, art is a way of life. I have always had the feeling that I was so lucky to choose this profession. After all, different people have different circumstances, and not many do what they like. And, oddly enough, I make money by painting. Of course, in the earlier stages of my career there were some difficulties, which I overcame and proved that that I am worth something (smiles). As they say, first I worked for a name, and now my name works for me.

- What would you be if you were not an artist?

- I would be a traveller. I would travel around the world. By the way, travelling is not easy. It also requires some kind of inspiration. To achieve anything in life, you need to have inspiration. You can't achieve anything sitting in one place. And then, what could be better and healthier than the new feelings and experience you acquire while travelling? In 2002, I visited the island of Timor near Australia. I was impressed by the immaculate sandy beaches, the clear sea, colonial architecture that had not been destroyed by more than two decades of war. I had incredible impressions!

- What took you to the distant island?  

- I was invited by friends. I have visited Timor twice. I worked on a series of paintings about Timor. This is a totally different world - bright, juicy, positive. I remember that when I completed my stay there and landed at Istanbul airport, I had the feeling that I was in a black and white movie. I had not noticed how monotonous and boring our world on the mainland was. The only things in common between us and the Timorese are problems with life and family. I am going to Germany soon, where I will work on a series of paintings.

- Can you share your "signature recipe" of success?

My "signature recipe" is very simple: work hard. Do not get distracted, work hard on yourself. Do not spend money on advertising. It is better to buy or rent a comfortable studio where it will be a pleasure to work. If the quality of work is good, success will come sooner or later.