Summer 1999 (7.2) Page 12 Baku Diary: The Colors of the Future by Jonelle Glosch   Whether you're new to Azerbaijan or a regular old-timer, you can't help noticing that this is a country that appreciates art. From carpets, to sculptures and monuments, to ancient palaces like the Shaki Khan Palace, Azerbaijan surrounds you with art. What I didn't expect to see here was the large number of Azerbaijani children training in the arts though it's only natural that they would be. Many children take art lessons from an early age, often as young as four or five years old. Photo: Jonelle Glosch I decided to talk to one such talented youth that I kept hearing about. Although this story is about Natella Mammadova and her family, it could be about any number of young artists. Natella's parents, like so many others, nurture the artistic tendencies in their children. Even though her parents are not artistic themselves, they recognize her ability and make immense sacrifices to foster their child's creativity. Fostering Talent I remember how my cousin in California started taking art classes once she became 12 years old-the age her parents deemed mature enough to be disciplined about work. After about a year, it was considered sufficient. They felt their daughter had had enough exposure to art and could get on with the "real subjects" such as math, biology and chemistry that might eventually lead to a career. Art: Natella Mammadova, 12, "Fantasia", watercolor, 1999. That's one major difference that I've noticed between the two cultures in terms of education. In the U.S., there's a tendency for people to dabble in a number of subjects and gain enough exposure to become barely conversant. In Azerbaijan, a young person is encouraged to learn a subject thoroughly. During the Soviet period, the government sponsored the art schools, and anyone who qualified could attend for free. These schools are still in operation, but now they charge $20-60 each month. (A public school teacher typically has a government salary of about $20 per month.) For the more advanced levels of instruction, the schools become more selective, nurturing specific students in hopes of developing budding talents. The most descriptive word for Natella is "pixie". She looks like a little doll: petite, impish and highly spirited. When I visited her, she was wearing jeans and chewing gum like any American kid her age. I found her a bit shy at first but when she started talking about the landscapes and people she likes to paint, it was hard to remember that she is still not even a teenager. Natella has the longest light brown hair I've seen in quite a while-all the better for braiding when she dons traditional costume and dances the Azeri traditional national dances. She's part of a dance troupe of considerable reputation, having traveled to Turkey and Russia by invitation. She also plays the piano like many kids her age in Baku. Art: Natella Mammadova's family parrot, 1997. On a typical day, Natella goes to school for the first shift of classes studying from early morning until 1:00 p.m. Then she's off to art school or dance or piano lessons. She's a busy kid until late at night. She says she doesn't miss her friends because they're enrolled in the same classes along with her. Natella, like many of her friends, began her art training when she was five years old. Her teacher, Tatiana Vladilenovna Kezar, has introduced her to a whole range of art experiences, from oil and watercolor painting to textile art. Natella works with pen and ink, chalk, metallic paint and fabrics. Her subjects vary and include the world of her imagination as well as people from other cultures, abstract ink designs and Azerbaijani national images. By age seven, Natella already had enough quality artwork for a personal exhibition. Her work was showcased at the Children's Art Gallery in Baku. In addition, she was named a "Laureate" in a competition sponsored by British Petroleum. Exhibitions Natella, now 12 years old, has created more than 80 paintings. She has participated in exhibitions in Azerbaijan and Moscow and has been honored by several dignitaries, including the Israeli Ambassador. At one exhibition, President Aliyev was so impressed with one of the paintings that he inquired who the artist was. It turned out to be Natella. Aliyev asked her to organize paintings for a personal exhibition. Americans in Iowa found out about Natella when her older sister, Sabina, went there as a high school exchange student through the U.S. Freedom Support Program. Natella sent 40 of her paintings for an exhibition to the art museum in Clarion. Visitors got a chance to see Azerbaijani art and dance, hear Azerbaijani music and even taste some local cuisine that Sabina had prepared. The Future of Art When I asked Olga Mammadova, Natella's mother, about the future of artists in Azerbaijan, she became pensive. "Azerbaijani parents," she said, "will do anything for their children. They want them to develop into highly cultured individuals. If a child wants to take art lessons, we gladly do our best to pay for them." A number of the foreign companies have sponsored art exhibits and competitions as a way to encourage young artists. In June 1998, the International Women's Club of Azerbaijan organized an event to showcase Azerbaijani talent. Amoco recently published a book of children's art that will provide support to orphans. Photo: Young artist Natella Mammadova, 12, in traditional dance costume. But according to Olga Khanim, these efforts still are far from sufficient to keep young artists in Azerbaijan. At the same time, she's cautious about encouraging her daughter to study abroad in the years to come. She realizes the risks involved and the enticement of staying abroad and not returning home. "Baku needs its artists just as they need Baku," she says. As long as Azerbaijan has a troubled economy, the bright talents in Azerbaijan will be lured away by a more promising life abroad. If they stay in Azerbaijan, they may even have to abandon art in favor of what Natella's mom calls "paying jobs". In the meantime, Natella's colorful works are appealing and full of promise and optimism. Birds sing and flowers bloom. Reason and order dominate her canvases. It's a vibrant world just like the one her parents hope will be waiting for her when she grows up. Natella Mammadova's paintings will be among those exhibited on the AZ Art Gallery on the Internet organized by Azerbaijan International magazine. Visit www.azer.com beginning in mid-summer 1999. Jonelle Glosch has lived in Baku for the past three years and is the Founder of Azerbaijan Business Services (ABS), which has trained more than 250 young people in English communication and international office practices. From Azerbaijan International (7.2) Summer1999. © Azerbaijan International 1999. All rights reserved. Back to Index AI 7.2 (Summer 99) AI Home | Magazine Choice | Topics | Store | Contact us