Anar Huseynzade

Every year, the Art Shopping Contemporary Art Fair attracts thousands of visitors eager to discover and purchase works by painters, photographers, and sculptors from around the world. The concept of Art Shopping is to invite talented artists to present their creations and engage with art enthusiasts and potential collectors. For this reason, Azerbaijan participated in this significant event by inviting two renowned artists to exhibit their work. At the vernissage, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to France, Leyla Abdullayeva, highlighted the cultural heritage of her country and the efforts of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to promote Azerbaijani culture on the international stage.

One of the key exhibits was an impressive installation titled “Together Under the Sun” by Elvin Nabizade, showcasing a group of traditional Azerbaijani string instruments known as “saz”.

The exhibition also featured the paintings of Anar Huseynzade, whose works evoke the rich cultural heritage of Azerbaijan.

“I was delighted to meet Anar Huseynzade at the vernissage and to gain insight into his creative universe.”

Anar's use of colour and texture is striking. Each stroke reveals the artist’s emotional resonance. His brush moves under the guidance of spirit, creating unpredictable yet powerful works. In our conversation, he shared his creative philosophy and how he became one of Azerbaijan's most sought-after artists. Anar’s personality and aura are captivating, reflecting a bright and inspiring outlook. With a smile, he introduced his works, which convey messages of love, kindness, wisdom, generosity, and gratitude for life. As he embarks on his artistic journey, he reminded me of a nomad, journeying through the realms of creativity, forever in search of new horizons and artistic adventures. He told me that from a young age, he was passionate about drawing, delighting in creating colourful, uniquely shaped images. His parents were amazed by their son’s enthusiasm for art… as if he were born with a gift. He was destined to become an artist. At just five years old, he had the opportunity to study at a children’s art school.

Anar Huseynzade draws inspiration from spiritual themes and the essence of life. His deep connection with ancient cities, especially the historic core of Baku — Icherisheher — is evident in his works. He incorporates traditional elements like houses, colourful patterns from nature, and fairy-tale figures into his art. His paintings fuse ancient and modern styles, often conveying spiritual teachings. One of his most cherished works, *Paradise*, features a large tree and a woman holding a tray of apples. We also discussed a painting depicting a red house in the forest, surrounded by woodland. Anar Huseynzade is an artist who breaks boundaries and seeks to understand the core of existence.