On the banks of the Kura 1961

Vajiha Samadova made this painting of women on the banks of the Kura with oil paint on canvas. I love how Samadova approaches mark making here. The strokes are broad and confident, like she's building up the scene with a series of decisive gestures. The material aspect of this painting is what really grabs me. The paint is applied with varying degrees of thickness, creating a rich and tactile surface. The cool blues and purples of the figures' clothing contrast beautifully with the warm grays and browns of the wooden planks and the silvery water. Look at how she renders the light reflecting off the water – it's almost abstract, like a series of shimmering brushstrokes that suggest movement and reflection. The way she paints the figure's hair, with quick, fluid strokes, feels so immediate and alive. Samadova reminds me a bit of Alice Neel, in the way she captures the essence of her subjects with such honesty and directness. And, like Neel, Samadova embraces ambiguity, allowing the viewer to bring their own interpretations to the work.