Emin Alakbarov, art critic
The Institute of Architecture and Art
of the National Academy of Sciences
of Azerbaijan

The People’s artist and art worker of Azerbaijan Fuad Salayev is a sculptor, whose work is of great importance in forming of the artistic and esthetic environment of Baku. His sculptures considerably enriched the city architecture.
The master’s sculptures dedicated to “Yusif Mamedaliev”, “Azad Mirzadzhanzade”, “Agil Aliev” as well as “Traveler”, “Winner”, and others differ in perfection of the form and completeness of artistic content. They can be called the pinnacle of the author’s mastery.
One of the works created by the sculptor during the formation of his creativity is a bronze bas-relief dedicated to the Russian poet Sergey Yesenin, which left part is decorated by the lines from his poem “Farewell, Baku …”. Depicting the poet’s image on the memorable bas-relief, Fuad Salayev at the same time managed to completely reflect also his state of mind: the poet is thoughtful, and a little sad. In 1975 the author of the monument to Sergey Yesenin was awarded. F. Salayev’s sculptures, which are located in various districts of Baku, esthetically fit into the environment of the city. Now, two of them are on Neftyanikov Avenue, 123. One of these works is called “Traveler”, and the second – “Winner”. The sculpture “Traveler”, which was put in the right part of the building in 2005, profitably enriches the artistic and esthetic environment of this space. The work reflects the images of a traveler exhausted and tired from a long journey and his horse, which brought the rider to the destination. The monument “Winner” was put in front of the building of the Museum center in 2010. The winner is a rider, who gained a victory over the enemy. His shield in the left hand is raised up, and his right hand holds the rein of the horse. The monument creates in the viewer a feeling of success, victory and joy.
It should be noted that any sculpture put in the open air should be in harmony with the environment and landscape. If this harmony is not observed, then the sculpture loses its expressiveness. The monument of “Acrobatic design” built on the basis of three figures is erected on one of the central streets of Baku – Niyazi Street in front of the Azerbaijan National Museum of Arts. It has a good review from all directions, and its figures draw attention with the dynamism.
F. Salayev is a sculptor, who became famous in the field of monumental plasticity. He created bas-reliefs of a number of prominent public figures, scientists and art workers. Among such works there are memorial monuments to the academician Yusif Mamedaliev, composer Kara Karaev, and to the national hero, scout Riad Akhmedov. In 1984 a memorial plate dedicated to the memory of Yusif Mamedaliev was mounted on the wall of the building in which he lived on Gul Street. The sculpture draws attention with its molding. The general appearance of the portrait and illusion of depth have an informational feature displaying the academician’s life, his intelligence and researches. The bas-relief dedicated to the composer Kara Karaev – the eminent person of Azerbaijani culture, is mounted on Lev Tolstoy Street, on the wall of the building in which he lived. The memorable stand has oval form, reminding, in general, a violin case, in the upper part of which the composer’s portrait in profile is depicted, and the lower part contains brief information about him.
A memorable stand made of two bronze plates on a granite basis and mounted on the wall of the building, in which the people’s artist of Azerbaijan Hajji Khanmammedov lived is also F. Salayev’s work. The profile portrait of the famous artist, who played on a tar (national instrument) is designed in the form of a bas-relief at a square stand, and under it, on a rectangular stand, there is information that the eminent person of art lived and created in this house during 1920-1980. The memorial stand is simple in style, and in the content and artistic construction it is the perfect work of art.
One of the most important works of the sculptor is the monument dedicated to the national hero of Azerbaijan Riad Fikryat Oglu Akhmedov. The bas-relief is mounted on the wall of the house, in which the hero lived, and also on the wall of the school No. 203 (Hanlar Street) bearing the hero’s name. The memorable stands dedicated to the brave scout differ from one another. The stand mounted on the wall of the hero’s house is made of black marble. In its left part (in the relative depth) the hero’s portrait is depicted by notch method. The right part of the portrait contains information about Riad Fikryat Oglu Akhmedov.
The multiplicity of means of artistic expression, of course, plays a large role in the sculptural monuments. So, in terms of content, they enrich the silhouettes created with professionalism. This is testified by the monument dedicated to the academician Azad Khalil Oglu Mirzadzhanzade. The monument is made of bronze by molding method. The academician is depicted sitting in a chair. His right hand lies on the leg, and turned aside left hand is raised up. Smart, serious look of the scientist is directed to the viewer.
Even during the early period of creativity the monumental sculptures created by F. Salayev demonstrated the master’s ability to create integral, realistic images, and using plastic means and thin strokes to reflect also the character of the people depicting by him. Sculptures, bas-reliefs and other works of Fuad Salayev won the love and respect of art lovers, which demonstrates that the sculptor has bright skill and high professionalism.
Keywords: monumental, sculptor, creativity, national artist.

Bibliography:
1. Kadzhar G. Fuad Salayev – 70. Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts. September 30, 2013, special issue No. 6 (7).
2. Novruzova J. Sculpture of the Soviet Azerbaijan. Baku: “Elm”. 1979.
3. Novruzova J. Fuad Salayev is a poet of plasticity. The International Academy of Architecture of the Eastern Countries. National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. Department of architecture, history and restoration of urban planning. Collection No. 4. Baku. Nurlan. 2004.