Heydar Aliyev Center continues to delight art lovers with
multiple art projects.
This time the center has showcased art works by Bahraini artist
Rashid Al Khalifa, Azernews reports.
The exhibition 'First Light' displays artist's newest
installations, including art works 'Fish Trap', 'Mosaic', 'We
created all living things out of water' and 'Circular Reflection',
demonstrated for the first time at the Heydar Aliyev Center. This
is the artist's first exhibition in Azerbaijan.
Speaking to journalists before the opening of the exhibition, Al
Khalifa said that he was happy to be in Baku.
'I am very glad that I saw Baku, and can present my works at the
Heydar Aliyev Center today. Some of the art pieces I brought were
created specifically for this exhibition. I was recommended several
times to visit Baku. It is a great honor for me to exhibit my art
works here,' the artist said.
At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, the First Deputy
Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Fargan Novruzov noted that the
center functions to promote samples of world culture.
'Today, the Heydar Aliyev Center has hosted an exhibition of
Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifa who is a member of the Royal Family of
Bahrain, chairman of the National Arts Council of Bahrain, the
first president and honorary president of the Art Society, which is
one of the brightest representatives of contemporary art. We hope
you enjoy the exhibition,' Novruzov said.
The Chairman of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union, People's Artist
Farhad Khalilov shared his impressions from the exhibition.
'I was pleased to visit such an exhibition today in this
magnificent building. I was lucky to meet many artists around the
world and get acquainted with their work. Arab culture and science
have a unique place in the world. This exhibition is distinguished
by its uniqueness. As an artist, I am experiencing the most vivid
feelings at the exhibition. I would like to thank everyone who
contributed to the organization of such a wonderful exhibition,
especially the Heydar Aliyev Center,' he said.
The exhibition curator Stefan Stoyanov said that his biggest
dream has come true.
'I visited Baku during the Nasimi Festival of Poetry, Art and
Spirituality. At that time, we were also in this magnificent
building of the Heydar Aliyev Center, which made a great impression
on me. I want to note that the Heydar Aliyev Center is the finest
example of architecture of the new century. I am so happy that
Rashid Al Khalifa's exhibition is taking place in this building,'
said Stoyanov.
Another curator of the exhibition, Yasmine Sharabi, said that
the exhibition features quite interesting works by the artist.
'Visitors will see an unusual setting here. They will also be
able to see artifacts that celebrate the unique architectural
ornaments of Bahrain, and geometric elements bearing divine
patterns. Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifa creates works that combine
antiquity and modernity. The works look to the future, but do not
forget the past ', she said.
Welcoming the guests of the exhibition, Al Khalifa said that he
was glad to organize his personal exhibition in Baku.
'I would like to further expand the exchange program between
Bahrain and Azerbaijan in the field of art. I thank the Heydar
Aliyev Foundation and its leadership for accepting my exhibition,'
the artist said.
Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Anar Alakbarov emphasized
the importance of organizing this exhibition in Azerbaijan's
capital.
'It is a great opportunity for us that we could organize such a
beautiful and magnificent exhibition at the Heydar Aliyev Center.
In the future, we will try to organize joint exchange exhibitions
of our young sculptors and artists in Bahrain. I think that our
young sculptors and artists will also benefit from that,' said
Alakbarov.
Rashid Al Khalifa creates his works inspired by the nature that
surrounds him. The artist's examples of art are distinguished by
the unity of traditional and modern architecture with the
environment.
Rashid Al Khalifa was born in 1952 into the family of the King
of Bahrain. He studied art and design at Hastings College in the
UK.
The changes in the artist's life and surroundings, who started
his career with landscape painting, also influenced his chosen
field.
In the 1980s, samples of ephemeral art were more common in the
works of Rashid Al Khalifa, whilst in the 1990s, abstract forms and
experiments with other materials, in particular the 'convex
canvas', typical of his work, predominated in his works, and in the
2000s, aluminum became the center of the artist's creativity.
Rashid Al Khalifa is a participant in multiple international
exhibitions, art fairs, and biennales. He is currently the Chairman
of the Bahrain Arts Council. The RAK Art Foundation, founded by
him, also provides support to young artists.
Bahraini artist's art works left a lasting impression on art
lovers in Baku.
His personal exhibition at the Heydar Aliyev Center will last
until September 10.