A solo exhibition by Peruvian artist Ronald Companoca opened at the Heydar Aliyev Center on May 21.
According to APA, the opening ceremony was attended by Leyla Aliyeva and Alena Aliyeva, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, prominent figures from the arts community, and other guests.
Titled “The Theater of Dreams,” the exhibition features a number of the artist’s works being presented to the public for the first time.
Speaking to journalists before the opening ceremony, Ronald Companoca said the event was of great significance to him and noted that holding the exhibition at one of Europe’s important cultural centers made it particularly special. He emphasized that what distinguishes the project from other exhibitions is that it goes beyond the traditional exhibition format, bringing together diverse cultural approaches and creative perspectives.
The artist highlighted that some of the works on display were inspired by Azerbaijani culture. Certain pieces incorporate carpet motifs, while others feature Azerbaijani themes and references to the country itself. Companoca added that his artistic practice combines elements of fantasy and magical surrealism, though he views his work primarily as a synthesis of realism and mysticism.
Addressing the ceremony, Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Anar Alakbarov said discussions about organizing the exhibition in Azerbaijan had been underway for several years and that the project had finally become a reality. He thanked the artist for his active creative work during this period and for his contribution to the exhibition.
Alakbarov also expressed gratitude to First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva for her support in making such cultural projects possible.
For his part, Ronald Companoca noted that he had spent the past year working intensively on the large-scale pieces featured in the exhibition. According to the artist, these works reflect his attention to detail, his desire to make the invisible visible, and the artistic expression of his inner world.
The exhibition’s central themes are time, travel, and dreams. Among the recurring images are clocks preserving memories, ships creating clouds, caravans moving under moonlight, and figures journeying toward a common destination.
As part of the event, an artistic performance featuring characters inspired by the figures depicted in Companoca’s works was presented to guests.
Visitors then toured “The Theater of Dreams” exhibition.
The exhibition’s dreamlike universe is populated by clowns, musicians, magicians, travelers, and fantastical creatures, guiding viewers on an unusual journey into the artist’s imagination.
Created within the philosophy of magical surrealism, Companoca’s works invite visitors into a fascinating world where reality and imagination merge in delicate balance. The exhibition draws inspiration from the artistic legacies of renowned masters such as Hieronymus Bosch, Salvador Dalí, and René Magritte.
Companoca’s artworks, which communicate with audiences through a distinctive visual language, have previously been exhibited in various countries across Europe, the United States, and Central America.
The exhibition will remain open until March 1, 2027.
