THE COLOURS OF LOVE AND JOY

The Museum Centre of the Art Gallery is hosting a personal exhibition dedicated to the memory of Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan Isa Mammadov. The exhibition, titled "Landscapes of Baku," has been organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Baku Executive Power, Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts, Museum Centre, Artists' Union, and the Community of Western Azerbaijan.

Isa Mammadov was born and raised in a small village near Gafan (Western Azerbaijan). In 1974, he relocated to Baku. After graduating from the Azim Azimzade Art School, he made the city his permanent home. As a resident of the vibrant city, he frequently travelled to various regions of Azerbaijan. He frequently visited Guba, Khachmaz, Ismayilli, and Lahij, developing a profound connection to the beauty of his childhood surroundings. While travelling through his homeland, it seemed that the artist rediscovered a world filled with beauty, overflowing with his love for it. Consequently, the city landscapes collected and displayed under the title "Landscapes of Baku" are free from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. The artist passed away in June of this year. An exhibition featuring 60 of his works was planned during his lifetime; it is now open and dedicated to his memory—both as an artist and as a remarkable individual.

Painter's Landscape

The 60 works on display offer a respite from the bustle of the city, imbued with a sense of peace and tranquillity that reflects the artist's joyful appreciation for life in the present moment. Each piece captures the harmonious fusion between the soul of the city and the artist's profound love for it. Regardless of the painting selected for closer examination—whether it be "Maiden Tower," "Venice," or "Autumn in Baku"—the interaction that occurs at the level of internal dialogue among feelings, thoughts, and emotions arising between the artwork and the viewer is of paramount importance. This interaction exists between the artist and those who engage with the essence of his work.

As you navigate the architectural dynamics depicted in Isa Mammadov's works, you embark on a journey aptly titled "Baku, I love you!" The viewer not only shares, understands, and embraces the artist's feelings for the city, but at some point, as the narrative is connected with, the viewer may feel like an author of that story. The artist's innermost thoughts seem to reveal your own.

Poetry In Every Work

Immersing oneself in the unique aspects of the artist's style reveals an associative range of poetic lines. The artist's emotions, captured in paintings bathed in sunlight and a sense of boundless joy, are brought to life against a backdrop that serves as a canvas for his vision. By establishing a connection between the rhythm of words and that of visual art, one begins to appreciate that the definition within cultural studies—"Art with a capital letter"—is not merely an empty phrase. Instead, it underscores the conceptual significance, content, and position of the artist regarding the creative process and their responsibility for what they project into the world: whether that force is destructive or creative. This notion holds particular importance in our current, 21st-century context, where pragmatism reigns supreme.

Isa Mammadov's art offers a creative confrontation with a world filled with substitutes, exploring the tension between spiritual and material, moral and immoral. His works, particularly "Landscapes of Baku," beautifully capture a harmonious blend of thought and spirit. By entering his world of light, goodness, and joy, one realizes that the expressions of love for the city and its people emanating from his canvases—as they guide you through the labyrinths of his thoughts, feelings, and sensations—are declarations that resonate within you as well. As you immerse yourself in this artistic expression, you may also discover new aspects of your own city. As you continue to explore and experience the city, your affection for it deepens.

The exhibition featuring Isa Mammadov's works is open until December 20th and is well worth a visit. We highly recommend attending with your children, friends, and family. It is particularly beneficial for individuals who have recently experienced periods of emotional turbulence. Engaging with this artist's works has been shown to promote positive mental well-being, characterized by a sense of inner peace and enhanced mood.