10 Questions with Cesar Mammadov

Cesar Mammadov (b. 1988, Baku, Azerbaijan) is one of the most prominent young Azerbaijani brush masters. He graduated from the Art School named after A.Azimzade (2004-2008) and the Academy of Arts of Azerbaijan (2008-2012) and, in recent years, actively participated in art projects in Azerbaijan and abroad, where his works were exhibited at the most famous exhibition venues. “I love this life with a frenzy of love...” – this line from Vladimir Nabokov’s poem is most probably the best description of the creative belief of an artist. In Cesar Mammadov’s paintings, joy of existence is combined with a friendly interest in the smallest details of life, and the romantic glorification of the beauty of nature goes hand-in-hand with a display of creations of human hands in the foreground, figuratively and sometimes in the literal sense of the word.

www.cesarmammadov.com | @cesar_mammadov

ARTIST STATEMENT

If the sea is depicted, it is full of multicolored sails, and if it is a city, it is variegated and brightly colored with bright walls, balconies, and posters. Even industrial landscapes, such as the panorama of the oil fields, under the brush of the artist, gain a kind of businesslike or modest character, and yet vibrancy is achieved by a carefully calibrated balance of clean and bright colors with muted background nuances. The purity of tones is combined with clarity or even the harshness of lines. The artist seems to offer his viewer a fresh look at daily wonders of the world: overflow of seawater, a mosaic of beach umbrellas, openwork masts, labyrinths of tiled roofs, perception of which involuntarily turns into “fray at the edges” with aging. These landscapes are neither idealized nor invented. This is a kind of Traveler’s Diary because Cesar Mammadov travels a lot. In his canvases, Spain, Turkey, France, Italy, cities, mostly maritime towns, and ports, with their troublesome daily life, appears before us. Cities can be depicted in different ways, but in his canvases, they are mostly filled with light and festivity to various extents. They say Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it is true. Confident strokes of his still-life paintings and portraits are sprinkled with the same love for life, equally full of light in terms of mood, sometimes pacifically calm, and sometimes bright and playful.

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. How did you start experimenting with images?

I am Cesar Mammadov, an Azerbaijani painter with a passion for creating art that evokes deep emotions and captures the essence of the world around me. From a young age, I was drawn to the world of colors and shapes, and I spent countless hours immersed in my own imagination, bringing my inner visions to life on canvas.
My father, Sakit Mammadov, is a renowned painter in Azerbaijan, and his influence on my art cannot be overstated. Watching him work and seeing the beauty he was able to capture in his paintings inspired me to pursue my own artistic path. He encouraged me to express myself through my art and to always seek to create something truly unique and meaningful.
Through my art, I aim to create a sense of connection between the viewer and the world around us. I believe that art has the power to transcend language and cultural barriers and to speak directly to the heart and soul of those who experience it.

How would you define yourself as an artist today?

As an artist, I strive to capture the joy of existence and the beauty of nature in my paintings. My works often feature a combination of vibrant colors and intricate details, from the multicolored sails of a sea depicted to the bright walls and balconies of a cityscape. I aim to offer viewers a fresh perspective on the world around us, highlighting the wonders of daily life through my paintings and drawings. Even in my still-life paintings and portraits, I infuse each stroke with the same love for life and light-hearted mood. My artistic goal is to continue surprising and pleasing my audience with new creative endeavors.

Bilbao, 2019, oil on canvas, 15 x 20 cm © Cesar Mammadov

Caspian Sea, 2014, oil on canvas, 80 x 90 cm © Cesar Mammadov

Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What is your artistic routine when working?

My creative process begins with a blank canvas and a vision of colors and shapes dancing in my mind's eye. I immerse myself in the moment, allowing my brush strokes to flow freely and expressively, guided by a feeling of intuitive inspiration. I relish in the joy of bringing my inner world to life on the canvas and lose myself in the process, emerging only when the painting feels complete and fully realized.

How much planning do your work and practice require?

My approach to planning my work is a delicate dance between structure and spontaneity. While I may have a general idea of the colors or composition I want to use, I find that the beauty of the creative process lies in its ability to surprise and unfold in unexpected ways. I trust in my intuition to guide me as I experiment with different techniques and materials, allowing each stroke of the brush to inform the next until the painting emerges as a unique expression of my inner world.

Balcony, 2019, oil on canvas, 25 x 35 cm © Cesar Mammadov

You mostly work with oil painting. Why did you choose this technique specifically?

I find that oil painting offers a unique and versatile medium for exploring my creative vision. The richness and depth of color that can be achieved with oils allow me to convey a range of emotions and moods, while the slow-drying nature of the medium allows for greater flexibility and the ability to layer and blend colors in a way that feels organic and alive.

Your paintings depict cityscapes and landscapes. What are your sources of inspiration? And how do you translate the inspiration into your work?

My sources of inspiration for my cityscape and landscape paintings come from my experiences and memories of traveling and exploring the world. Whether it's the vibrant energy of a bustling city or the serene beauty of a natural landscape, I am drawn to the interplay of light, color, and movement that surrounds us in our everyday lives. To translate this inspiration into my work, I strive to capture the essence of a place or moment, distilling it down to its most essential elements and using my techniques to create a visual narrative that communicates the emotions and sensations that I experienced in that particular setting.

Early Morning, 2019, oil on canvas 25 x 35 cm © Cesar Mammadov

Ismayilli, 2019, oil on canvas, 25 x 35 cm © Cesar Mammadov

What about your style? How did you develop it?

As a realist painter, my style is informed by my desire to capture the essence of the world around me in a way that is both truthful and emotive. I have honed my technique over years of observation and practice, carefully studying the way light and shadow interact with form and space and using my brushstrokes to capture the nuances of texture and detail that bring my paintings to life. Ultimately, my style is a reflection of my passion for capturing the beauty and complexity of the world around me, inviting viewers to see and experience the world in a new and meaningful way.

Do you find that the shift to digital exhibitions and art fairs has helped you promote your work?

I have found that the shift to digital exhibitions and art fairs has provided a valuable opportunity to reach a wider audience and connect with art collectors and enthusiasts from around the world. While nothing can replace the experience of viewing a painting in person, the ability to showcase my work online has allowed me to share my artistic vision with a broader community and to engage with individuals who may not have had the chance to discover my work otherwise.