”Some leave only a name, while others leave a deep mark": A tribute to the work of Agha Mehdiyev

Baku/11.09.23/Turan:  On September 8, in the esteemed art space "Yarat," an event took place as part of the "Through the Eyes of the Artist" project, commemorating and celebrating the life and artistic contributions of the renowned national artist, Aga Mehdiyev. Aga Mehdiyev, born on March 21, 1920, in Lagich and passing away on May 15, 2003, in Baku, was the focal point of this evening.

The event featured an engaging discussion led by art critic Myakhbarya Abbasova. The discussion brought together art critic, gallery owner, mentor, expert, and founder of "Contemporary Baku," Galib Gasimov, as well as Dr. Kenul Asimova, a distinguished scholar in Art History.

Myakhbarya Abbasova began the evening by highlighting the enduring modernity of Aga Mehdiyev's paintings, particularly those dedicated to Lagich and the beauty of nature. She emphasized that, despite their time, the full extent of A. Mehdiyev's work remains underappreciated and undiscovered.

Galib Gasimov lauded the charming simplicity and national vibrancy found in A. Mehdiyev's paintings, noting their loving portrayal of aspects of Azerbaijani life. He pointed out that A. Mehdiyev's work largely avoided political or social themes and instead left a lasting artistic mark through his genuine simplicity and individuality.

Kenul Asimova extolled A. Mehdiyev as one of the finest artists of his era, underscoring his diverse talent that spanned various genres. She also mentioned that A. Mehdiyev had created the first portrait of M. A. Rasulzade, along with portraits of other prominent figures such as Heydar Aliyev. Notably, A. Mehdiyev was known for generously gifting portraits to close friends, even creating self-portraits—a challenging and introspective artistic endeavor.

The discussion featured slides displaying A. Mehdiyev's artworks, followed by a video featuring esteemed artists and friends who shared their thoughts on his work and cherished memories.

The evening delved into the contemporary perception of A. Mehdiyev's art, with Kenul Asimova lamenting that it has not received the recognition it deserves. She pointed out that A. Mehdiyev's works are inadequately illuminated and insufficiently appreciated by critics and the public, despite the inclusion of many contemporary artists' works in textbooks.

Galib Gasimov offered several reasons for this undervaluation of A. Mehdiyev's creative legacy, including inaccuracies in information sources such as Wikipedia and a lack of effective promotion.

The discussion also touched upon A. Mehdiyev's book graphics, with Kenul Asimova recalling the artist's early career when he produced a significant amount of book illustrations, although none have survived to this day.

A. Mehdiyev's family includes followers of his artistic tradition, such as Gulyar Mehdiyeva, Azer Alekberov, and Yagub Mehdiyev. However, Kenul Asimova noted that younger family members are more inclined toward technical fields, reflecting contemporary trends.

The event also explored why the works of Azerbaijani artists, even those from the recent past, are often forgotten. Galib Gasimov discussed international efforts to address this issue, citing the recent "digital" exhibition of Van Gogh in Poland as an example.

The discussion also shed light on A. Mehdiyev's close friendships, including his profound bond with the painter Kamil Aliyev, and his warm and sincere relationships with friends and acquaintances.

The portrayal of women in A. Mehdiyev's artwork was another topic of discussion. Galib Gasimov noted the artist's evident reverence for the female image in his works, and A. Mehdiyev's daughters attested to his respectful treatment of women in both his art and life.

The evening concluded with A. Mehdiyev's family expressing their heartfelt gratitude to the event's organizers and attendees for their warm appreciation of the artist's life and work.

Notably, Aga Mehdiyev's works have been on display for contemplation in the Yarat art space since May 19, as part of the Black and Pink group exhibition curated by Farah Alakberli, and this exhibition continues to captivate audiences