On October 1, the Museum of Modern Art will host a solo exhibition «No» by Azerbaijani artist Niyaz Najafov. Niyaz Najafov was born in Baku in 1968. He is a professional sportsman. He graduated from Baku Technical School of Physical Culture in 1985 and has been involved in professional sports most of his life. Najafov started drawing in childhood, took up painting in 2003 and has had a successful career in art. His works are now exhibited in the leading galleries of Baku.

In 2009, Najafov represented Azerbaijan at the Venice Biennale.
Niyaz Najafov’s star rose in the firmament of Azerbaijani art in the mid­dle of the past decade. The works of this original artist have been widely exhibited abroad (including Russia, the USA, Germany and Denmark), and have been acquired by museums and private collections at home and abroad.

In 2009, Najafov became one of the artists representing Azerbaijan at the Venice Biennale. Two of his works were purchased there by the renowned collector Alberto Sandretti.  All of  Najafov’s canvases, regardless of the subject, magnetically draw the eye, despite the fact that the images on them are far from providen­tial or even optimistic. A number of works by this artist can be termed only as caricatures.

This relationship between painting and drawing, a symbi­otic combination of the eternal, ‘monumental’ oil painting technique and the seemingly fleeting wit of drawing is one of the recognizable features of  Najafov’s  artistic style.

Sometimes it is blatant satire, and sometimes it is merely a hidden smile. The people inhabiting his paintings are not so much actual characters, but archetypes, in which someone, perhaps, might recog­nize themselves.

It is surprising that the artist is in constant creative search of new stylistic solutions, he is not sleeping through the night and his tension is felt in his paintings. There are an incredible number of sketches in his workshop that are not less interesting than his finished works of large format.  Niyaz reflects a rather clear description of the plot in his works. His observation is “ruthless”, no detail escapes out if his sight.

Niyaz Najafov creates works about his past life. The parallel which he draws between universal themes and personal life characterizes his creativity. It is multifaceted, inspired by life, by his experience, characterized by bright color and by certain naivete, but the background and the depth of this art remain bleak, marked by fear, pain and loneliness. 

We should not try to define or formulate his personality, his works. We should see him as an artist who really brought some kind novelty to the scene of the Azerbaijani modern art.

Solo Exhibitions.

2012-“Fly to Baku”, “Azerbaijan Modern Art, “Philips de Purry &Company. London, United Kingdom

2011- “Foreword , Create!,” The Exhibition Modern Art  Space. Baku. Azerbaijan.

2011- “London Art Fair’’, “Gazelli Art House”. London, United Kingdom.

2011- “Ter res de Pensee”, Brissot Gallery. Paris, France

2011- “LabArt”, Melun. Paris, France

2011- “Avant Premire”, IP Gallery .Paris, France.

2010- “Year of Russia in France”, Brissot Gallery. Paris France

2010- “Niyaz - Daria”, Vivienne Gallery. Paris France

2010- Cairo International Biennale. Cairo, Egypt.

2010-Cite des Arts International “.Moscow, Russia

2010- “Vision Solidaires” Brissot Gallery .Paris, France

2009- 53th Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art. Venice, Italy

2009-”Baku Nlimited exhibition” Azerbaijan Art exhibition Cultures Capes   project. Basel, Switzerland.

2008- “Year of Azerbaijan in Germany “Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Berlin, Germany

2008- “Singverdson Bo” Gallery. Rodbi, Denmark.

2007- “5+”.The Museum Center. Baku. Azerbaijan

2007- “Kassel Art Fair”. Kassel, Germany

2006-Geneva, U.N.O .Geneva, Switzerland

2005- “Man and Woman” The Museum Center. Baku, Azerbaijan

Venue: Museum of Modern Art

Dates: 01.10. – 20.10.2015

Working Hours: Tuesday–Sunday: 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays

Admission Fee: 5 AZN     

For students: 2 AZN