About
Born in Sumqayit, a small, coastal city in Azerbaijan, Rafig, later moved to the capital city of Baku. From his early ages he was involved in classical music and was interested in Visual Art. During his studies he was actively involved in the ongoing Jazz & Art scene in The Netherlands. After graduating he moved to The United States and started painting. His fascinations include works by Rothko, Yves Klein, Clyfford Still, Barnett Newman, Piet Mondrian, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Kazimir Malevich.
My work explores the emotional resonance of color and form through large-scale oil paintings. I am drawn to the immersive power of size — how a canvas that fills a wall can also fill the body with sensation, drawing the viewer into a space where color can evoke feelings. By layering fields of pigment and shape, I aim to create compositions that evoke pure human feelings beyond words.
At the heart of my practice is a belief that color and shape are not simply visual elements, but frequencies. Just as music is a combination of notes, abstract color and shape are also elements that can resonate with the viewer in the same way. Ultimately, my paintings are invitations: to stand before them, to slow down, and to experience one's own sensations.
Solo Exhibitions:
2020 - Other Worlds | Roodkapje Rotterdam, The Netherlands
2019 - Light & Dark | SIGN Gallery, Groningen, The Netherlands
Group Exhibitions:
2020 - With Open Arms | Roodkapje Rotterdam, The Netherlands
2020 - Blind Spot | Roodkapje Rotterdam, The Netherlands
2020 - Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda | Roodkapje Rotterdam, The Netherlands
2019 - Runner up winner of Harry Wich Dutch National Scholarship
2019 - Formed/Unformed | De Suiker Events Groningen, The Netherlands
2018 - The Supreme Exodus Lab | Academy Minerva Groningen, The Netherlands
2018 - Art for a better world | Academy Minerva Groningen, The Netherlands
2017 - 24 Hours | SIGN Groningen, The Netherlands
2017 - DATA | Frank Mohr Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands
2017 - Man Made | Academy Minerva Groningen, The Netherlands
2017 - Becoming (In)Visible | Academy Minerva Groningen, The Netherlands
2019 - Runner up winner of Harry Wich Dutch National Scholarship
2015 - 2019 BA | Fine Art, Minerva Academy | Groningen, NL
2019 - 2021 MA | Fine Art, Willem De Kooning Academy | Rotterdam, NL
Artworks
Available Works - Recent