A personal exhibition of graphics and painting by the outstanding representative of Azerbaijani fine arts, Honored Teacher Yashar Samadov, on the occasion of his 75th anniversary, was opened at the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan.
Having graduated from the Azerbaijan State Art School named after A. Azimzade and the Azerbaijan State Institute of Art named after M.A. Aliyev, he dedicated his life to speaking with the language of colors and expressing the voice of the soul through art. For Yashar, art is not only beauty, but also a spiritual report, before God, conscience and people.
On the eve of the exhibition, Yashar shares his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Jamala Nakhchivani, editor-in-chief of Global Art magazine.
– Yashar, today is your 75th anniversary and your personal creative exhibition of graphics and painting is being held. Could you share your feelings about this exhibition with us?
– For me, this exhibition is not just a demonstration of creativity, but also a report. A report of life, a report of creativity… A person actually lives with a report throughout his life. Before God, before conscience, before people. This exhibition is also a part of that spiritual report.
In my creativity, I have always tried to express my love for the Motherland, because for me, love for the Motherland is the beginning of everything. I always say that love, especially love for the Motherland, is like salt. Just as salt adds flavor to all dishes, so love for the Motherland adds soul and value to every type of art. If there is no love for the Motherland in a work of art, that work is soulless. But now there are works that, when you look at them, you cannot feel the identity of the author. This is very important. A work of art should express its roots, national identity.
– You often say the phrase “art cannot be betrayed”. What do you mean by this?
– A person should not betray any field, any person, neither friends, nor family, nor art. Because a person who betrays art betrays his own heart. Art is a world where you express your soul, feelings, and inner world. Therefore, an artist must be honest.
After a person dies, the soul lives on, the body disappears, but the soul remains. The artist also creates with the soul. What is created with the soul never dies. That is why I say this. Artists are born, but they do not die. The works they create live, and this is the continuation of the soul.
Interviewed by Jamala Nakhchivani, Editor-in-Chief of Global Art magazine
