London hosts "Land of Fire" exhibition comprising photos of journalist Ben Illis

On 9 December, an exhibition under the title “Land of Fire” was opened at the Maverik Showroom in Shoreditch, London. This was co-sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and The European Azerbaijan Society. The exhibition comprised works by journalist and photographer Ben Illis, who spent three months in Azerbaijan during 2009–10 whilst writing the Hedonist’s Guide to (Hg2) Baku, the first English-language guide to this vibrant city.

The exhibition demonstrates the multiplicity of faiths, cultures, landscapes and natural phenomena in Azerbaijan. Altogether, 52 works were displayed, including a gigantic four-panel representation of the mosaic window at the 18th century Khan’s Palace, Shekhi and a three-panel view of the mystical Blue Mountain in the Caucasus range.

However, other photographs focused on elements of everyday life – the watermelon seller by the roadside in Absheron; a child playing football in the Old City of Baku; or a study of tea-glasses with preserved fruit, representing the inherent hospitality of the country. Attendees included H.E. Fakhraddin Gurbanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the UK; H.E. Aleksandr Mikhnevich, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the UK; and Alexander Sternik, Charges d’Affaires.

Russian Embassy, together with employees from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and students from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). A selection of Ben’s photos may be seen at www.benillis.com/show.html. Altogether, more than 500 people attended the exhibition, which ran from 7–11 December.


/APA/