This shield is an ornamental work crafted on copper. It is adorned with buta figures typical to the Azerbaijan region. It is called Ilanqach which means running snake, and spiral-like figures can be seen.
Diameter 50 cm
Azizbala Dadashov’s introduction to metal occurred in his childhood, when he met his neighbour, a Greek master craftsman specialised in painting and iron forging. Under his guidance, Azizbala made his first metal object, a steel gazelle figure for his bicycle. Despite his affinity for working with metal, along the way Azizbala experimented with calligraphy, ceramics and carpet weaving. And yet, following in the footsteps of his mentor, he always came back to metalwork, often modernising it by combining it with certain painting techniques. “People can tell who you are by looking at your art”, he says. Azizbala’s metal creations certainly are individual and showcase the versatility of his skillset as an ornamentalist.
Read the full interviewPhoto: Kamal Muradzadeh©Michelangelo Foundation
This shield is an ornamental work crafted on copper. It is adorned with buta figures typical to the Azerbaijan region. It is called Ilanqach which means running snake, and spiral-like figures can be seen.
Diameter 50 cm
Photo: Kamal Muradzadeh©Michelangelo Foundation
This copper metalwork conveys the old Absheron peninsula. It displays all the peculiarities of the peninsula in one landscape. The famous Maiden's Castle, oil fields, mosques, and people, all created with very artistic touches.
Height 68 cm
Width 89 cm
Photo: Kamal Muradzadeh©Michelangelo Foundation
Mugham is an Azerbaijani music genre, and it is very slow. This copper metalwork expresses mugham as dynamic music. Two men play instruments, and the woman sings as she plays the traditional drums. Wavy patterns and buta figures add more cultural detail to this work.
Height 56 cm
Width 68 cm
Photo: Kamal Muradzadeh©Michelangelo Foundation
This portrait conveying ocean life brings legendary mermaids onto copper metal. The patterns fit perfectly in their environment and create a miraculous scene.
Height 63 cm
Width 68 cm
Photo: Kamal Muradzadeh©Michelangelo Foundation
This aluminum metalwork portrays three ashiqs playing saz, drum, and shrill pipe. Ashiqs are folk singers who sing and play the saz, a historical musical instrument of the Turkic people. The men in this scene are a symbol of Azerbaijan’s cultural richness.
Height 45 cm
Width 50 cm