In the vibrant, thought-provoking works of Schachnas Aghayeva, known professionally as Schachnas, the canvas becomes a battleground for challenging deeply entrenched stereotypes about femininity and sexuality. Born in Azerbaijan, Schachnas’ artistic journey is deeply influenced by the cultural dichotomies and societal expectations of post-Soviet Azerbaijan—a nation grappling with its identity amidst a complex overlay of Soviet legacies and burgeoning independence.

Azerbaijan, once a crucial part of the Soviet Union, has experienced significant transitions since gaining independence in 1991. The Soviet era in Azerbaijan, as in much of the USSR, was marked by a paradoxical mix of progressive gender policies underpinned by rigid, conservative values regarding personal life and sexuality. Officially, the Soviet regime promoted gender equality and women’s liberation from traditional roles for ideological alignment and workforce mobilization. However, this supposed liberation was tightly controlled, restricting sexual freedom and reinforcing a narrow view of women’s roles within societal and familial structures.

Post-independence, Azerbaijan has continued to navigate between its Soviet heritage and its deeper historical and religious roots, predominantly influenced by Islamic traditions. This mix has fostered a complex environment for gender norms and women’s rights. While the country has made strides in areas like female education and workforce participation, traditional expectations about female modesty, sexual behavior, and family roles remain deeply ingrained.

In this context, Schachnas’ art compellingly addresses the rigid gender roles that dictate the behaviors and expectations surrounding women’s sexuality. Her pieces, rich with vibrant colors and intricate details, explore the controversial aspects of femininity and the harsh societal norms that shape women’s lives in Azerbaijan. Schachnas navigates these themes with a combination of subtlety and boldness, using her art as a provocative platform to question and destabilize the rigid norms dictating female existence.

One of the more disconcerting realities depicted in Schachnas’ work is the role of women themselves in perpetuating these restrictive norms. Often, it is women who enforce these harsh standards upon each other, acting as custodians of the societal expectations that bind them. This internal policing within the female community underscores a troubling aspect of gender inequality, where women, perhaps unknowingly, become both the victims and enforcers of their own oppression.

Schachnas’s artworks are characterized by a distinct emphasis on the female form, particularly highlighting the hips and buttocks. In her visual narratives, she portrays these areas with notable fullness, symbolizing them as sites where women are thought to accumulate energy. This depiction is not merely aesthetic but speaks to the physical locus of power and burden, suggesting that the pronounced voluptuousness of these areas in her paintings serves as both a source of strength and a weighty burden. This element of her art underscores the dual nature of these accumulations: empowering yet oppressive, celebrated yet often exploited.

Her artworks, such as “Is it me?” and “Personal search,” employ a variety of mediums—sanguine, sepia, embroidery, and fibrous paper—to convey complex visual stories that engage and challenge. These pieces not only reflect on the individual’s quest for self-definition but also critique the societal structures that restrict women’s freedom to explore and express their identities fully.

Through her vivid portrayal of women’s experiences in Azerbaijan, Schachnas not only illuminates the internal conflicts sparked by societal expectations but also serves as a mirror reflecting broader issues of gender that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. Her art becomes a platform for advocacy, pushing against the remnants of a repressive past to foster a future where women can freely express and embrace their sexuality without shame or restraint.

Schachnas Aghayeva’s art is more than a reflection; it is a call to action—a vivid, compelling plea for a deeper understanding and a more equitable appreciation of the complexities of female identity and sexuality in modern society. Through her bold and insightful works, she continues to inspire and challenge audiences, advocating for a world where the true essence of all individuals can be celebrated and respected, free from the self-perpetuated chains of outdated norms.