First name: Agil {a: qeel} Surname: Abdullayev {abdul: layev}

Born in 1992 | Baku, Azerbaijan
Contact: ag.abdullayev@gmail.com
Instagram: @azerbaijaniboydoespinkmagic
Education:
2018: BA Fine Art (First Class Honours) | Nottingham Trent University | UK
2015: Foundation of Art and Design | Nottingham Trent International College | UK

Agil Abdullayev manifests his practice by blending conceptual essays, poetry, and social commentary in a combination of video, installation, and performance, which explores queerness, society, and the effects of modern technology on reimagining alternative futures.

His works depict a human society that is heavily influenced by childhood traumas, and dependent, on the post-modern mass media. Agil’s practice spanning from examination of the identity representation in Azerbaijan and neighboring countries to its relationship to the history, culture, queer thoughts, and radical South Caucasian traditions, that are often interwoven in explorations into his alter-egos and post-modern narratives. Agil frequently references the impact of his alter-egos and imaginary friends on his queer identity, and the oppression of the national values on marginalized groups. The incorporated theoretical models concerning imposed gender roles and embedded social class inequalities are also often observed in his interdisciplinary research-based practice.

Abdullayev makes visually rich conceptual essays to address contemporary social issues by using storytelling techniques. The mild visuals, biting irony, and dark humor in the language focus attention not only on the perception and the changes in contemporary society but also on the critical problems of social reality in which he positions himself as a commentator to offer his opinion.

Selected solo/duo exhibitions:
2018: Shy boy of the pink future, Artim Project Space, Baku, Azerbaijan | Curated by Anna Fech
2018: Watch in a bright room and at a safe distance from the TV! (with Wendy Asumadu), The Trophy Room, Liverpool, UK | curated by Harry Meadley

Selected group exhibitions/screenings/performances:
2021: Haft Paykar, Kapellhaus, Goethe Institut, Baku, Azerbaijan | curated by Alfons Hug
2021: Do not run! This is only a mirage you see, Artim Project Space, Baku, Azerbaijan | curated by Zahra Mammadova
2021: Art Dubai, Gazelli Art House’s booth, DIFC, Dubai, UAE
2021: After hope, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, US

2020: Off the velvet chest, Smena - contemporary art space, Kazan, Tatarstan | curated by Asli Samadova
2020: 4th edition of DokuBaku Film Festival, Baku, Azerbaijan
2020: Two snaps of the post-modern society (solo screening), Salaam Cinema, Baku, Azerbaijan

2019: Off the velvet chest, Triumph Gallery, Moscow, Russia | curated by Asli Samadova
2019: That’s why I don’t hang out with cool kids, Yarat Contemporary Art Space, Baku, Azerbaijan
2019: F®ictions, DIY Space for London, UK
2019: Across the mountains: South Caucasus Photography, MOMA, Tbilisi, Georgia | curated by Anna Shpakova
2019: Ta(r)rdino6 at Art Spaces Section, Contemporary Istanbul Fair, Turkey
2019: Forget what you know, see who I am, Artim Project Space, Baku, Azerbaijan | curated by Anna Fech
2019: Video Wortex: There will be different tomorrow, Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, Malta
2019: To be woman, HIVE alternative Pavilion, Tbilisi Art Fair, Georgia
2019: For the time being, The Photographers Gallery, London, UK | Curated by Rachel Chiodo, Sitara Chowfla, Hang Li, Esther Moerdler, Carlos Pinto, Caroline Rosello
2019: On the tip of other tongues, Artim Project Space, Baku, Azerbaijan | Curated by Anna Fech
2019: Becoming, Freehold Projects, Leeds, UK
2019: Hometown Weather, Salaam Cinema, Baku, Azerbaijan

2018: New Contemporaries, South London Gallery, London, UK
2018: Where are you at these interesting times?, AIR Gallery, Manchester, UK | Curated by Scaffold Collective
2018: Fluid Sense of Presence, One Thoresby Street, Nottingham, UK
2018: lgbt+f: planet 2028, LUX, London, England, United Kingdom | Curated by Seema Mattu
2018: New Contemporaries, Liverpool Biennale, England, United Kingdom
2018: Capitalism stole my virginity, Surface Gallery, Nottingham, UK | Curated by Agil Abdullayev and Katie Bishop

2017: The 15 Cmdments, The Wrong - New Digital Art Biennale, Online | Curated by Sid and Jim
2017: Repost_Modern, Omni Modern Gallery, Online | Curated by Tyler Robarge
2017: Me: Also Me:, Wuu2’s website, Online
2017: Is this real lyf??, B&D Studios, Newcastle, UK | Curated by Stacey Davidson
2017: Boys don’t cry, Artim Project Space, Baku, Azerbaijan | Curated by Anna Fech
2017: Howz Sho, Alternative art location, Nottingham, UK
2017: Film free and easy: Spring Roll, Primary, Nottingham, UK

2016: Future Late Weekend, Tate Modern, London, UK | Curated by Tate Collectives
2016: Film free and easy: Fall Roll, Primary, Nottingham, UK

2015: Limit to transit, Kicik Qala Art Gallery, Baku, Azerbaijan

2014: ASTAR, MOMA, Moscow International Biennale for Young Art, Russia | Curated by Nailya Allakhverdieva

Artist-in-residency/visiting programs:
2021: V-NYI - Critical Cultural Studies, an advanced study program in collaboration of Stony Brook University and The Herzen State Pedagogical University
2019: Cittadellarte - Pistoletto Foundation, Biella, Italy
2019: International Summer Academy of Fine Arts, Salzburg, Austria
2019: The Art Prospect Exchange Fellowship, CEC Artlinks, NYC, US
2019: Yarat Contemporary Art Space, Baku, Azerbaijan
2018: Group Residency, One Thoresby Street, Nottingham, UK
2018: Dostum January, Online Residency, Whitepube.co.uk
2017: WUU2 Mate?, Online Residence, wuu2wuu2.com
2017: A Lifeless Lifestyle, Online Residency, Cyberplynth

Curatorial Projects:
2019: Women with moustaches and men without beards; Salaam Cinema, Baku, Azerbaijan
2018: My chain hits my chest (in collaboration with Heidi Chan and Katie Bishop); One Thoresby Street, Nottingham, UK
2018: Capitalism stole my virginity (in collaboration with Katie Bishop); Surface Gallery, Nottingham, UK
2017: Me: also Me; Wuu2’s website, Online