A Different View of Reality: Lali Binyatova’s “Revolutionary of the Soul” Exhibition in Baku

At the Yuva Baku gallery, visual artist Lali Binyatova recently unveiled her latest experimental works, blending the mediums of photography and painting to craft an entirely new dimension of art. The exhibition, aptly titled Revolutionary of the Soul, defies conventional artistic boundaries, offering viewers an immersive experience where reality is reimagined through the artist’s unique lens.

For Binyatova, this exhibition is more than just a collection of artworks—it is a statement, a manifesto of her creative journey. "I have created a new reality," she proclaimed, describing the pieces as an exploration of the unspoken and the unseen, challenging the limits of traditional artistic practices.

Art critic Mansura Mammadaliyeva praised Binyatova’s work for its innovative approach to self-expression. Reflecting on the exhibition, she remarked, “This is not merely an exhibition—it is an experimental experiment where art breaks free from its traditional frameworks. Here, photography, color, and imagination converge, rethinking and recreating reality from a distinct perspective.”

Mammadaliyeva noted that Binyatova’s use of paint on photographs transforms ordinary frames into vibrant utopian worlds, bridging the gap between reality and imagination. “With her technique, she quite literally makes the ‘invisible’ visible,” Mammadaliyeva observed. “She fills in the unsaid, complements the untaken shots, and spins them into fantastical tales that go far beyond the photographic lens.”

Each piece on display tells a story, offering more than a static image. These are narratives painted with emotion, reflections of the artist’s inner world brought to life by her brush. For visitors, the experience is both visually captivating and intellectually stimulating, inviting them to explore the layers of meaning embedded in every stroke and shade.

One of the highlights of the exhibition was Binyatova’s live performance during the opening night. In front of an audience, she transformed an existing piece into something entirely new within minutes, showcasing her process of creation as a performance in itself.

“Every brushstroke carried traces of her emotions and personal stories,” Mammadaliyeva explained. “It wasn’t just about the finished product. It was about the act of creation—the raw, unfiltered energy of the moment.”

This live demonstration, according to Mammadaliyeva, highlighted a profound truth: art is as much about the process as it is about the result. For many attendees, witnessing Binyatova at work brought them closer to understanding the artist’s inner world and her journey toward redefining artistic expression.

The exhibition also reflects a broader trend in contemporary art, where traditional techniques are increasingly fused with experimental methods to expand the boundaries of creativity. In a world shaped by rapid technological and cultural change, artists like Binyatova challenge audiences to see familiar realities through fresh perspectives.

As Mammadaliyeva concluded, “Exhibitions like this one don’t just showcase art—they change how we think about it. They encourage us to approach art not just as a product but as a dynamic process of exploration and discovery.”

Through her Revolutionary of the Soul, Lali Binyatova invites us into a world where the lines between photography, painting, and imagination blur, offering a glimpse into the infinite possibilities of artistic expression. It is a bold, transformative journey—one that leaves viewers with more questions than answers, and a newfound appreciation for the boundless horizons of creativity.