About
Born and raised in Azerbaijan, my artistic practice is deeply rooted in cultural memory, emotional resonance, and a reverence for nature. Guided by a global vision and an intuitive sensitivity, I explore how art can act as a bridge between the inner world and collective human experience.
My work spans abstract painting, sculpture, and public installation—each medium a different expression of the same intention: to reconnect people with their environment, values, and one another. From pointillist compositions to large-scale projects like Saving Butterflies, I aim to create visual narratives that invite empathy, contemplation, and awareness.
I believe art should constantly evolve, testing boundaries and offering new meaning. Whether working with canvas or community-led sculpture, I strive to make each piece a space where transformation—personal, social, or ecological—can begin.
Biography
Aylal Heydarova (b. 1990, Baku, Azerbaijan) is a multidisciplinary Azerbaijani artist whose practice spans painting, sculpture, and public installation. Deeply influenced by her cultural heritage and early years painting in her father’s studio, Aylal’s work combines emotional depth with a vivid visual language rooted in nature, memory, and human connection.
Her artistic journey includes international exhibitions across London, Tokyo, Milan, Florence, and Dubai. Known for her pointillist abstractions and symbolic colourwork, Aylal’s paintings explore themes of transformation, fragility, and belonging—often blurring the boundaries between the visible world and inner experience.
In recent years, she has expanded her practice into socially engaged public art. Her acclaimed Saving Butterflies project brings together environmental themes and community participation, creating sculptural installations in collaboration with young people, including asylum-seeking children. These works amplify the role of art as a tool for awareness, empathy, and collective healing.
Unbound by convention, Aylal approaches her work with curiosity and vision—constantly reinventing how art can move, speak, and connect across cultures and generations.
Education
2011 - 2012 MA in Design and Art, University of Leeds, UK
2006 - 2010 BA in Theatre-Décor & Design, Azerbaijan State University of Art and Culture
Honours
and Awards
2024 - WE RESTART CHARITY - Saving Butterflies public sculpture at World's End Place
2011 - Project of chocolate boxes organised by the company Hotel Chocolate and Georg Jenson, implementer of “Divinity collection” Leeds, UK
2010 - First place in competition on Productive Design
2009 - Third place & certificate - exhibition One nation-two states, organised with contribution of Azerbaijan Art Academy and Turkish Embassy
2009 - Third place & diploma - exhibition Deutschland, das Land…, organised by the embassy of Germany, Baku, Azerbaijan
2009 - Best idea award - exhibition America with the eyes of an artist, organised by the US Embassy to Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Art Academy
2008 - Second place & diploma - exhibition Holiday of flowers exhibition organised by the Executive Authority of Baku city
2008 - First place and diploma - Competition Student’s pocket, organised by Access Bank Azerbaijan
2007 - First place & diploma in the competition Design of napkin’s package, organised by Azersun Holding
2007- First place & diploma - exhibition Holiday of flowers exhibition organised by the Executive Authority of Baku city
2006-2010 BA in Theatre-Décor & Design, Azerbaijan State University of Art and Culture
Exhibitions
2025 - World Art Dubai, Dubai, UAE
2025 - VIE Fashion Academy, UAE
2024 - WeRestart, Saving Butterflies Project, London, UK (Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea)
2024 - World Art Dubai, Dubai, UAE
2024 - Wunder Kammern Gallery, Milan, Italy
2023 - Sotheby's Institute of Art Charity Auction, London, UK
2023 - Heydar Aliev ‘One Hundred Shades of the Century’ Exhibition, London, UK
2023 - Flux Review Exhibition, London, UK
2023 -Tokyo Art Fair, Tokyo, Japan
2022 - Nice EXPO, Nice, France
2022 - RBA, Mall Galleries, London UK
2021 - Florence Art Biennale, Florence, Italy
2021 - International Contest of Contemporary Art, YICCA, Centre of Culture, Milan.
2021 - Las Laguna Art Gallery, “Women in Art”, LA, USA.
2019 - Participating artist at the XII Florence Biennale, Florence, Italy
2019 - Participating artist at Summer Show, La Galleria Pall Mall, London, UK
2019 - Participating artist at the London Biennale, London UK
2019 - Landscape Exhibition, Brick Lane Gallery, London, UK.
2018 - Participating artist at the gallery Nur, Baku, Azerbaijan.
2018 - Participating artist at the gallery Ag sheher, Baku, Azerbaijan
2016 - Illustration of National costumes at the Windsor Exhibition Hall, Windsor Palace, UK
2015 - Participating artist - IV International Art Exhibition in Kabala, organised by the Seba- Baku Azerbaijan-Korean Cultural Exchange Association
2013 - III International Art Exhibition in Kabala, organised by the Association of Azerbaijani-Korean Cultural Exchange "Seba-Baku"
2012 - Project based on the connection between mandala and Azerbaijani ornaments, Collection Land of Fire, University of Leeds Exhibition Hall, UK
2012 - Exhibition “ Show who you are” National Gallery of Leeds, UK, organised by the University of Leeds
2012 - II International Art exhibition in Qabala, organised by “Seba (Seoul-Baku) Azerbaijan-Korean Cultural Exchange Association”
2011 - Women’s divinity exhibition held by Qiz Qalasi Gallery, Baku/Azerbaijan.
2010 - Silk way exhibition, Baku, Azerbaijan.
2010 - I International Art exhibition in Qabala, organised by “Seba (Seoul-Baku) Azerbaijan-Korean Cultural Exchange Association”
2010 - Participating artist - Silk way exhibition on the International Korea years 2010-2012, Seoul, South Korea
2010 - Participating artist - International Student week in Belgrade
2010 - (ISWIB 2010) “Workshop Arts and Crafts” Serbia
2010 - Contender in exhibition organised by the Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
2010 - Presentation of art works at the Oriental Art Fair Brussels
2010 - Exhibition organised by German Association Baku- Jazz Centre, Baku, Azerbaijan