BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 2. On November 1, the Heydar Aliyev Center opened an exhibition featuring renowned Italian monumental sculptor Lorenzo Quinn, Trend reports.
The timing of this exhibition is no coincidence, as it precedes the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be hosted in Baku. Titled Equilibrium in Nature, the exhibition once again draws attention to environmental issues.
The concept of the Baku exhibition centers around a deep understanding of the environment and the importance of caring for nature.
At the opening, Heydar Aliyev Center Director Anar Alakbarov thanked Lorenzo Quinn for arranging the exhibition on such short notice. He mentioned that the Center has hosted presentations by several Italian sculptors and artists this year and noted the stunning sculptures on display in this exhibition. Alakbarov highlighted that Quinn’s works were brought to Azerbaijan as part of COP29, expressing hope that visitors coming to the conference will enjoy these masterpieces. He also announced plans for numerous upcoming events at the Heydar Aliyev Center.
Olga Daniele, founder of 365 Art and the exhibition’s curator, expressed her gratitude to the Heydar Aliyev Center for organizing the event at such a high level. She noted that Lorenzo Quinn’s sculptures are rooted in the themes of love, compassion, and care for the planet, with each piece reflecting the artist’s remarkable vision and talent.
Lorenzo Quinn remarked on Baku’s beauty and the city’s anticipation of COP29. He expressed delight in presenting his work in such a magnificent setting and shared that his sculptures embody nature's strength. “We must love Earth. Just as a mother cares for her child, so must we care for Earth. There’s no other place for us to live. We need to understand this because we have no other choice,” Quinn stated.
The exhibition began with Quinn’s work Union of Love, which calls for mutual love and support to foster harmony and enduring human connections.
Quinn’s sculptures will be displayed throughout the Heydar Aliyev Center’s park and lobby until May 11, 2025. Visitors can view notable works such as A Balanced World, Hand of God, Give and Take, and Together in the Center’s plaza, while pieces like Eros, Parallel Universe, and Love Yourself are presented in the lobby. A total of 15 of the artist’s works are on display.
The sculpture Love Yourself encourages expressing love through self-love, sharing this feeling with the world, and illuminating the path of righteousness.
Another prominent piece, In Perspective, underscores the delicate and tiny nature of our world when compared to the vast universe. With this work, Quinn invites viewers to see our world through a broader perspective.
Among the exhibits is the iconic Hand of God, featuring a man seated wearily on a large hand that holds him in support. Quinn dedicated this piece to his son, using it to symbolize the perils that young people face today. Over time, this hand became a recurring element in Quinn’s monumental works, representing love, hate, creativity, and the power of destruction.
Another remarkable work, Together, first displayed near the Great Pyramid of Giza, brought contemporary art closer to this ancient site. Since then, it has been shown at Cannes in 2021 and Dubai in 2023. Now, it will be on view in Baku for six months in the Heydar Aliyev Center’s park. The piece depicts hands that symbolize both creation and destruction, with Quinn asserting that our fate is in our own hands.
Force of Nature, another exhibit in Baku, features the form of a delicate yet powerful woman, embodying Mother Nature. This sculpture series, central to Quinn’s career, has been showcased globally, adorning iconic sites in major cities.
The piece A Balanced World conveys the sensitive notion that, while our worlds may seem like polar opposites at times, true balance can only be achieved with each other.
Visitors to the Heydar Aliyev Center will also encounter Give and Take, a work that has captivated audiences worldwide, underscoring the importance of balance in life and nature.
Lorenzo Quinn, the son of Oscar-winning actor Anthony Quinn and costume designer/actress Iolanda Addolori, studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in New York. Initially pursuing a career in painting, he eventually shifted to sculpture to channel his energy and original ideas. He is also an actor and has appeared in films.
Known as a “creator of emotions” and “artist of feelings”, Quinn has become one of today’s most sought-after sculptors. His works convey messages of peace, harmony, and the power of choice, reflecting the balance between humanity’s positive and negative sides.
