BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. bp, on behalf of its co‑venturers in the Azeri‑Chirag‑Gunashli, Baku‑Tbilisi‑Ceyhan, Shah Deniz and South Caucasus Pipeline projects — SOCAR, TPAO, LUKOIL, SGC, NICO, MOL, INPEX, ExxonMobil, ITOCHU, ONGC Videsh, Eni, MVM and TotalEnergies — is pleased to announce the successful completion of an art project supporting the promotion of Azerbaijan’s nonconformist art movement, which emerged in the 1960s, TurkicWorld reports.
As part of the project, bp and its co‑venturers funded the renovation and modernization of a dedicated exhibition space at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art (ANMA), intended to showcase works by Azerbaijan’s renowned nonconformist artists. The upgrade focused on enhancing both the aesthetic and functional qualities of the space - particularly through advanced lighting systems and wall preparation - to ensure that these invaluable works are displayed and preserved under optimal technical and visual conditions, in line with international museum standards.
The project included the renovation of 800 square metres of wall space, 400 square metres of ceiling and 330 square metres of flooring, as well as the installation of advanced lighting systems for at least 150 artworks and the provision of 150 new museum‑grade wooden frames.
The works of Azerbaijani nonconformist artists of the 20th century form a significant part of ANMA’s collection. Active from the 1960s through the 1980s, the nonconformist movement emerged as a rejection of the constraints of Soviet‑era socialist realism and made a vital contribution to the development of the Absheron School of Painting. Key representatives of the movement include world-renowned artists such as Mirjavad Mirjavadov, Ashraf Murad, Tofiq Javadov, Rasim Babayev, Gorkhmaz Efendiyev, as well as the renowned sculptor Fazil Najafov.
Addressing the event held at the Museum today to publicly present the project, Gio Cristofoli, bp’s regional president for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye, said: “We are proud to support initiatives that preserve and promote Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage. The project we are celebrating today contributes directly to the promotion of Azerbaijan’s nonconformist school of art.
“We are particularly pleased to see that the newly renovated section of the museum is now adequately equipped to present the fascinating legacy of Azerbaijan’s nonconformist artists, enabling their unique works to be displayed in their full colour and beauty. The newly installed facilities will significantly enhance the reflection of the striking beauty of this cultural legacy, making this treasure accessible to the public in its full splendour. This project also helps ensure that the works of nonconformist artists receive the recognition they deserve, both nationally and internationally.”
The project was implemented by Greentech Solutions LLC with a total budget of 358,089 AZN ($210,640).
