Wim Delvoye presents solo exhibition in Baku

/By AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

Famous Belgian neo-conceptual artist and a well-known representative of modern art, Wim Delvoye has opened his solo exhibition at the Heydar Aliyev Center on April 13.

About 50 works created by Delvoye will be showcased in Baku until September 27.

Director of the Center, Anar Alakbarov stressed the importance of the exhibition, adding the Heydar Aliyev Centre already turned into the cultural center of Azerbaijan.

Alakbarov also praised the center for successfully arranging this project. He thanked Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva for supporting the project and also stressed the role of the Belgian embassy in Azerbaijan in holding the exhibition.

Ambassador of Belgium to Baku, Karen Pettit expressed her pleasure at seeing a Belgian artist feature at the Heydar Aliyev Centre.

"Opening such exhibition in Azerbaijan would contribute to the development of relations between the two countries," she said.

"I am honored that today the Heydar Aliyev Center presents the work of our famous artist. This is doubly pleasing because I myself love the creativity of Wim Delvoye, who not only always surprises people with his projects, but also makes them wonder," said the ambassador.

Wim Delvoye expressed sincere gratitude to Leyla Aliyeva and Anar Alakbarov for the warm welcome and holding his exhibition in Baku.

"Azerbaijan is a great and beautiful country! I admire the energy of the people of this great country and now very much like to take Azerbaijani citizenship," he said.

Delvoye presented a series of fantastic works, including "Concrete Mixer", "Nautilus", "Daphnis and Chloe", "Carved tires" etc.

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent, Delvoye is famous for his inventive and even shocking projects.

In his unique artworks, the artist presents European traditions transforming it through the perspective of modern mass culture. By this, he manages to combine components in various contexts and give them brand new meaning and content.

Statues that combined patterns and ornaments in contemporary storylines have brought success to Delvoye.

Inspired by medieval craftsmanship with Gothic filigree, Delvoye mixes the delicate craftsmanship associated with Gothic architecture with the heavy, brute force of contemporary machinery.

The artist held exhibitions in world-class museums and galleries such as the Louvre, the Georges Pompidou National Arts and Cultural Center in Paris, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.