YARAT Contemporary Art Space is pleased to announce the group
exhibition “Monument to Freedom”, hosted at the Museum of
Azerbaijani Painting of the XX-XXI Centuries,
Azernews reports.
The exhibition brings together in one space works of painting,
graphics, sculpture, graffiti, as well as video works commissioned
by YARAT by artists Nazim Babayev, Kamal Ahmed, Toghrul Sadigzade,
Sirus Mirzazade, Shahpalang Mammadov, Rasim Babayev, Ashraf Murad,
Malik Aghamalov, Mir Nadir Zeynalov, Rashad Babayev, Museib Amirov,
Adil Yusifov, Adil Shikhaliyev, Sabina Shikhlinskaya, Leyla
Gabulova, Elnara Nasirli, Arzu Rzayev, Amrulla Israfilov, Emil
Majnunov and Elturan Mammadov.
Beneath the dominant narratives of history rest untold stories,
suppressed voices, and concealed truths. The expansive Soviet
Empire, founded on socialist promises and Marxist-Leninist
principles, profoundly influenced the 20th century. Its utopian
dreams juxtaposed with authoritarian governance impacted countless
lives, culminating in a legacy of tragedy post-dissolution.
“Monument to Freedom” addresses the aftermath of Soviet influence,
scrutinizing its effects on individuality, recollection, national
identity, and collective psyche.
In the Soviet epoch, dissident artists significantly challenged
ideological constraints and expanded artistic freedoms. These
individuals served as both covert resistors and regime adversaries,
endeavoring to reclaim and reinterpret their cultural legacy amidst
Soviet dominance. They navigated the complexities of Azerbaijan’s
history and identity. Contemporary artists, through photography,
video, and installations, engage in critical dialogue with their
predecessors, dissecting the paradoxes of socialist dogma and its
stance on nationality, culture, and tradition.
YARAT-commissioned artworks probe the scars of past injustices
and their enduring impact on personal and communal memory. The
“Monument to Freedom” group exhibition delves into Azerbaijanis
historical, societal, and political tapestry, revealing a path to
liberty that is intricate, harrowing, and steeped in sacrifice.
The exhibition features works from the collections of the
National Art Museum of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan State Art Gallery,
Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, Nar Gallery, and Unibank.
The exhibition is curated by Farah Alakbarli.
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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr
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