Aidan Salakhova's 'Revelations' Exhibition Opens at Saatchi Gallery

The Tsukanov Family Foundation and Saatchi Gallery are set to unveil "Revelations: New Work by Aidan," the first solo exhibition of Azeri and Russian artist Aidan Salakhova in the UK. The exhibition, opening January 13, 2016, will occupy an entire floor of the Saatchi Gallery, presenting recent works that explore themes of female identity and challenge patriarchal structures.

Key Takeaways

• "Revelations" marks Aidan Salakhova's debut solo exhibition in the UK.
• The exhibition features recent works across sculpture, painting, drawing, and video.
• Themes of female intimacy, self-sufficiency, and the subversion of traditional gender roles are central.
• The show includes a provocative video installation and new sculptural works.

Exploring Feminine Intimacy and Power

The exhibition "Revelations: New Work by Aidan" will showcase recent pieces by the Moscow and Carrara-based artist. Aidan Salakhova is known for her enigmatic narrative cycles, often featuring veiled figures that deconstruct patriarchal norms while drawing on traditional and religious symbolism. The initial rooms of the exhibition delve into her earlier series, recreating the secluded feminine intimacy of the harem and celebrating female autonomy.

Provocative New Works and Subverted Traditions

The latter half of "Revelations" introduces new creations, including a compelling video installation that examines the erotic dimensions of the veil, the archetype of the dominatrix, and fantasies of female dominance and male submission. In her latest sculptural endeavors, Salakhova moves beyond the veiled figure to depict both female and male nudes. Rendered in granite or marble using classical techniques, these sculptures present novel juxtapositions of the sexes, aiming to subvert tradition and propose alternative modes of interaction.

A Fusion of Artistic Influences

Aidan Salakhova's artistic practice is a rich tapestry woven from diverse influences. Her academic training in Soviet Moscow during the 1980s, subsequent engagement with Western art history and contemporary artists, and her personal exploration of her Azeri and Uzbekistani heritage all contribute to her unique style. She skillfully elides artistic categorizations, blending Oriental and Occidental, Islamic and Byzantine, non-figurative and figurative, and ancient and modern elements. Her work consistently questions inherited societal ideas, particularly concerning women's roles, by reinterpreting traditional artistic practices to convey a progressive vision.

Born in Moscow in 1964 to the renowned Azeri and Russian artist Tair Salakhov, Aidan Salakhova graduated from the Moscow State Surikov Institute of Fine Arts in 1987 and now holds a professorship there. Her international exhibition history includes appearances at major art fairs and biennales, such as the Venice Biennale in 1991 and 2011, and the Second Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art in 2007.

Sources

• Revelations. New work by Aidan, meer.com.