Gayyur Yunus

Yunusov Gayyur (sometimes spelled Gaiyur Yunus; born March 26, 1948) is an Azerbaijani painter, member of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, and People's Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Early life Gayyur Yunus was born on March 26, 1948, in the village of Amirjan in Baku. He graduated from middle school, then from 1967 to 1971 he studied at the Azim Azimzade Azerbaijan State Art School in Baku before attending the Tbilisi Art Academy from 1971–1977.

Yunus has been attending exhibitions since 1972. In 1980, he was admitted to Azerbaijani Artists' Association and Union of Artists of the USSR. When he was young, he came near his hometown relative Sattar Bahlulzada, and observed how he painted. He became a student of Bahlulzada and learned the various types of art.

Gayyur Yunus has said the following about his birthplace: "I was born in this village, I received my first education here, and then I was attached to this village for life. Wherever I went, I always came back to Amirjan. Amirjan is the dearest place in the world for me. All of this is reflected in my creative work." His work is characterized by smooth lines and bright colors (especially red, turquoise, and white on black backgrounds). While many of works are lyrical pieces and landscapes, he garnered a reputation for his stylized portraits of women, He paints his portraits in oil on canvas and includes background motifs such as pears, fish, birds, flowers, epigraphic writings, and Yunus' personal symbolism. He also includes calligraphy written in Arabic, with religious words and expressions such as "Allah", "Bismi Allah" ("in the name of Allah"), Currently, Yunus' works are in the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan, the Tbilisi Folk Friendship Museum, the Pavlador Art Museum, the Tretyakov Gallery, Tərəqqi Medal – 18 October 2011 People's Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Honorary title) – December 30, 2015