Shape of
Elsewhere

Guilherme Albagli (b. 1954, Ilhéus, Bahia) is a Brazilian painter and muralist whose work is rooted in the sacred, the humanistic and the deeply Bahian. Of Sephardic Jewish and Brazilian-Portuguese descent, he has produced a body of work over six decades that encompasses painting, public murals, scenography, and restoration — including major works for the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador and the State University of Santa Cruz.

His artistic formation was forged outside institutional orthodoxy, through direct mentorships with painters and makers in Ilhéus and Rio de Janeiro, studies in architecture and the humanities, and sustained engagement with sacred imagery, popular tradition, and the discipline of materials. Formative encounters include time spent in the studio of Domenico Lazzarini in Ipanema, and a lasting dialogue with the Swiss painter Marie Louise Schmidt (Emeles).

At the centre of his pictorial work is the human figure — most often presented frontally, with direct gaze and solemn stillness. These figures do not perform for the viewer; they meet them. They are bearers of memory, faith, and what the artist describes as a belief in the possibility of ethical and spiritual renewal for humanity.

Ulviyya Akhundova's art is a vivid exploration of the world around us, capturing the ways we perceive and experience emotion. Each painting transforms observation and memory into a poetic reflection of life.

Her work reveals a deep sensitivity to the human condition, inviting contemplation and connection. Nature is a constant source of inspiration, breathing life into her creations, from the warmth of sunrise and the stillness of forests to the vibrant rhythm of the city.

Educated at the University of the Arts London in Fine Art Painting and at Sotheby's Institute of Art in Art Business, Ulviyya combines creative expression with a refined understanding of the contemporary art world.