Tulips 

Mahmud Taghiyev created this vibrant drawing of tulips, using colored pencils, during a period marked by significant cultural and political shifts in Azerbaijan. Taghiyev's work emerges from a context where artists navigated the complexities of cultural identity within the Soviet system. While the Soviet government promoted certain forms of artistic expression, artists often found ways to subtly express their cultural heritage. Taghiyev, who lived through the Soviet era and the subsequent independence of Azerbaijan, uses the tulip, a flower with deep roots in Azerbaijani culture. The bright, almost frenetic, lines could be seen as a reflection of the tensions between prescribed artistic styles and the desire for individual expression. His choice of subject matter and expressive style invites us to consider the intersection between personal identity, cultural heritage, and political context. The tulips, rendered with such energy, become a symbol of resilience and cultural pride.