A new episode of the Baku Network’s analytical series Dialogue with Tofiq Abbasov features People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, Aliyar Alimirzoev, who opened up about the philosophy behind his art, the emotional toll of conflict on creative work, and the vital role artists can play in healing divided societies.
Art as a Mirror of the Times
For Alimirzoev, painting isn't about faithfully depicting objects — it's about capturing their state, their energy, their emotional resonance with the era. “It’s the state of things that matters,” he said. “The soul’s condition gives birth to the urge to create. I try not to paint the object itself, but the feeling of it — the emotional climate of the time. We've lived through war, destruction, aggression — it all leaves a mark, like a bad dream. But as the saying goes, when reason sleeps, monsters are born.”
He recalled the 1990s as a “black-and-white era,” drained of color, drained of joy. During the most recent escalation of violence, he found himself unable to work at all. “For a month and a half, I just waited for news,” he admitted. “The muse falls silent when the cannons speak.”
The Battlefield Within
Alimirzoev believes that artists need time to rebuild their inner world after conflict. War, he said, doesn't only take place on the frontlines — it wages a parallel battle in the heart. And yet, he remains hopeful. “We can’t live like this forever. Whether we like it or not, we are neighbors. Artists must play a greater role in reconciliation — peace through art. There’s no other way.”
Building Bridges Through Culture
He sees cultural exchange as a practical path forward. Alimirzoev proposed creating forums where artists from third-party countries could gather and collaborate — neutral spaces for dialogue through shared creativity. Encouragingly, he noted, “Even among ordinary people, you’re starting to hear more and more rational voices calling for peace.”
Recently returned from Kazakhstan, Alimirzoev shared details about his latest project — an open-air workshop and exhibition with fellow artists from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The event earned him a medal from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture, along with critical acclaim.
A Style All Its Own
As for the identity of Azerbaijani art, Alimirzoev highlighted its singular voice. “We don’t look like anyone else,” he said. “We have our own palette, our own colors. We are children of the sun, a country of fire.”
Art as a Journey
He closed the conversation with a metaphor: “Art is a road. And the road is a symbol — it leads forward, toward hope, toward a brighter future. The most important thing is to keep moving.”
