The opening of the exhibition "Plain–Air Artworks" took place at the Khatai Art Center on October 10, 2026 at 17:00. The exhibition aims to popularise sketch, the direct study of nature, and the most accurate reflection of its real appearance.

Sketches hold a special place in the visual arts, allowing artists to explore their subjects in greater depth, capture the finest nuances of light and shadow, convey the changing character of the world around them and preserve fleeting impressions. These works reveal an artist's powers of observation, individual style and creative thinking. Working directly from nature also helps artists refine their professional skills and discover new artistic approaches.

At the opening ceremony, speakers discussed the importance of plein air painting and the development of this area of the visual arts. They included Aghali Ibrahimov, Vice Chairman of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union and People's Artist; Ulviya Hamzayeva, a member of the Azerbaijani Parliament and Honored Artist; Akbar Goshali, poet, publicist and expert at the Parliamentary Committee on Culture; Turan Karimzade, a representative of the Khatai District Executive Power; artists Ismayil Hajiyev and Bayram Gasimkhanli; and Zahid Avazov, director of the Khatai Arts Center.

The speakers expressed confidence that the exhibition would make a significant contribution to promoting and further developing the study genre in Azerbaijan. Such exhibitions not only raise the profile of this art form but also provide a platform for creative exchange, exposure to different artistic approaches and the professional development of artists.

The submission of works for the exhibition was announced back in the spring. The authors were not limited in terms of subject matter or technique; each could submit up to three works. As a result, about 200 professional artists submitted more than 400 works. Among the participants were also two artists from Belarus, two from Kazakhstan, one from Finland, one from Algeria, and one from India.

The works were viewed by the selection committee for several times. Already at the first stage, many participants received high scores for two or more works. However, since the organisers’ goal was to showcase a wide variety of individual artistic approaches at the exhibition, the “one artist – one work” principle was applied at the next selection stage. Finally, 100 paintings were presented at the exhibition and the works of invited artists gave it an additional colour.

See the online-catalogue of the exhibition

The members of the selection committee were

• Jhalil Huseynov – professor of the Azerbaijan Academy of Arts;
• Ulvia Gamzaeva – the chairman of the Nakhchivan branch of the Union of Artists;
• Elchin Huseyin – head of the State Art Gallery of Azerbaijan;
• Ramil Mamedov – head of the department of the Azerbaijan Academy of Arts;
• Suphan Mamedov – docent of the Azerbaijan Academy of Arts;
• Rustam Guliyev – senior lecturer of the Azerbaijan Academy of Arts;
• Bakhtiyar Yusifov – docent of the Azerbaijan Academy of Arts;
• Ainura Mustafaeva – member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan;
• Abdulami Aliyev is a member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan.

After the exhibition ends, all works will be returned to the authors. The authors of the 10 works selected during the exhibition will be invited to take part in the sketch tour.

Each participant whose work is featured in the exhibition will receive a certificate.

The organisers are confident that the exhibition will contribute to the popularisation and further development of the sketch genre.

The project is being implemented by the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan State Art Gallery, the Khatai International Watercolor Gallery and the Khatai Art Center with the support of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts, Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting CJSC, the Executive Authority of the Khatai Region and the Union of Artists of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.