Liminality

Commenting on her rapidly modernising country’s forgotten and marginal corners, Mahmudova uses art as an outlet to give a feeling of stability to co-exist in this unprecedented environment. Art gives no boundaries and opens to any communicational variations for the artist. The works on show are shrouded by an aura of metaphysical fog — adding a layer of surrealism and positioning each piece as a memory that is fading within time and space.

The concept of space is closely investigated through the lens of the artist. As Mahmudova explains, “we exist within space, we co-exist in parallel, and space exists within us.” Space can be a place where one physically or spiritually exists, creating the concept of one’s reality and illusions. Marc Augé’s concept of ‘non-places’ ex- plores the idea of transition or the liminal, as a crossroad of human relations to what humans perceive but only partially and incoherently. Mahmudova explores the dichotomy of private and public, places and non-places, spaces and non-spaces.

The mixed media paintings in Liminality are influenced by nature’s powerful force. Titled after their geolocations, 41.2026553, 48.2629696, reflect a turbulent river, mean- dering through rocks and bioforms — a representation of the volatility and beauty of the natural world. The sculptures on display take inspiration from constructivist manmade structures and architecture: echoing the lack of safety and stability in

the built world and the transient nature of human life in comparison to natural landscapes and materials. An array of natural elements such as stones and corals are present across various works, symbolising the longevity of everlasting constructions created naturally.