Vejdi Rashidov is an extremely talented artist who specialises in conceiving powerfully evocative sculptures and, following in the footsteps of artists such as Michelangelo and Donatello, he creates expressive preparatory and experimental drawings and paintings that are themselves distinctly exceptional artworks inherently saturated with skill and intellectual energy. In fact, Rashidov’s true talent and genius can partly be witnessed in his studies that fabulously come to life long before the sculptural process begins and, through the process of creative analysis and thought, greatly outnumber the realised sculptures.
He therefore has and continues to greatly contribute to art with his imagination and passion for innovation. Vejdi utilises with a wide variety of mediums, including fire clay, bronze, gesso, granite, stoneware and silver to compose his extraordinary sculptures. He also uses pencil, chalk, sanguine chalk, china ink and watercolour in other lines of work and consequently is a free and visionary talent with pure art exploding from his passionate soul.
Rashidov’s diverse yet distinctive sculptures eloquently represent formidable emotions and possess the ability to provoke thought in the viewer. Strength is juxtaposed with fragility while expressive forms captured by the artist are able to communicate a deep delicate dimension combined with magical mystery. The spectator perceives subconscious elements of Rashidov’s being that cannot be described with words as every piece is saturated with great significance and thought. The artist’s inner emotions are translated into the artworks creating much intrigue for the observer, thus allowing the audience to ponder and reflect on the meanings of each sculpture that are a mixture of the ideas that the artist wishes to convey to the world combined with the intimate and personal interpretation of the spectator. Vejdi conveys his distinctive imagination and intellect that eloquently shines through every example of his masterpieces, all incredibly unique, and tells a story depicted through a miscellany of intriguing figures ranging from people and animals to the fascinating silent creatures that inhabit his subconscious.
Vejdi Rashidov can certainly be compared to the likes of Giacometti as both artists are known for their representations of human figures as well as for incorporating surrealist elements in their artworks. Both artists are extremely complex and expressive talents, with the innate ability to mould sensational sculptures with tremendous depth, form and technique. In relation to surrealism, there is also a great affinity with Dalí in terms of ideas but also in the execution and discovery of shape and proportion. One can feel the intricate connection between Rashidov’s artistic output and the intangible parallels of his stimulating and intensely beautiful mind.
The viewer can also perceive that Rashidov draws some inspiration from Sir Henry Moore and his monumental semi-abstract bronze sculptures. As mentioned previously, numerous artists use drawings to organise and develop ideas before transforming their thoughts into sculpture. Indeed, both Moore and Rashidov have implemented this approach to bring their concepts and imaginations into reality but there is a distinction with many other artists. While drawing allowed earlier sculptors to learn and navigate the complexities of human anatomy and proportion, these two artists have chosen a different path and have allowed themselves to be guided by their hearts rather than their eyes. There is no attempt to capture a beautiful subject, rather there is the will to understand its essence and to penetrate the surface thus enabling the spectator to experience a visual representation of elements that are usually beyond the scope of what the eye is designed to perceive. Through the drawings, the observer encounters a marvelous process that immortalises the journey of emotions and delicate decisions taken during the conception of the three-dimensional masterpieces. It is truly a privilege to share the evocative and intimate steps through which the idea evolves from the artist’s mind to paper and ultimately to sculpture.
Vejdi Rashidov’s artwork is exceptionally powerful and draws on his conscious and subconscious to convey his individual artistic vision combined with his extraordinary innovative nature, resulting in the subjects of his sculptures being wonderfully varied and unique. Vejdi Rashidov is an extremely talented artist with a deep understanding of culture and the world with the innate ability to communicate and express his innovative ideas and thoughts.
Timothy Warrington
International Confederation of Art Critics