Opening of the exhibition "Afrovision - Modern Art from Africa" was held at the Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art in Baku hosted the launch of “Afrovision – Contemporary Art from Africa” exhibition, May 17. The opening ceremony was attended by Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and the Foundation`s Vice-President Leyla Aliyev.

Leyla Aliyeva delivered a speech at the event.

The exhibition shows selected masterpieces from the collection of Bernd Kleine-Gunk, a German collector, who possesses one of the leading collections of contemporary art of Africa. Addressing the event, Bernd Kleine-Gunk said he had been collecting African art for a long time, and informed the participants of the African art. He expressed gratitude to Azerbaijani First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s Vice-President Leyla Aliyeva: “There are a lot of people that I have to thank. But I especially want to thank two ladies. One of them is Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva and another is Mrs Leyla Aliyeva. They made it possible that this exhibition came here. I think there is a lot Azerbaijan can be proud of, but having a first lady like this with this beauty, with this charm, with this intelligence, I think it is something exceptional. You know that when the First Lady decides to do something, she does it on the high level. And these words can be said also about Mrs Leyla Aliyeva.”

Mrs Leyla Aliyeva cut the ribbon symbolizing the launch of the exhibition.

Then, participants saw the exhibition. The exhibition features 63 works by 11 artists from 7 African countries. The works exhibited are dedicated to themes such fight for the true values, fashion icons, varied ceremonies, African folklore. Rich in color and interesting characters, the works take the visitors into different aspects of the African life. 

The event featured a performance by the national dance group of Africa.

State and government officials, MPs, representatives of diplomatic corps accredited to Azerbaijan, representatives of art and the public were present in the ceremony.