Gallery Qiz Qalasi, Baku

The Qiz Qalasi Gallery, also known as QGallery, is a prominent art venue in Baku, located at the historical site beside the Maiden Tower in the heart of the old city. Founded on March 19, 1999, by the esteemed Azerbaijani artist and professor, Salhab Mammadov, it has emerged as a crucial platform for contemporary Azerbaijani art.

The inception of QGallery was driven by Mammadov's commitment to support Azerbaijani artists during the challenging post-Soviet years. Recognized as one of the first private galleries in Azerbaijan, it offered a space for artistic expression and experimentation for both emerging and established artists, sculptors, and photographers at a time when few institutions, other than the Ministry of Culture and Artists’ Union, were promoting local art.

Under the leadership of Emin Mammadov, Salhab's son and an Honorary Art Figure of Azerbaijan, the gallery has flourished into a dynamic art hub. QGallery is not only a venue for exhibitions but also engages in significant commercial activities, including participating in international art fairs and competitions, aiming to promote the Azeri art landscape globally.

The gallery focuses primarily on showcasing established local artists, due to its strong collaboration with the Azerbaijani art community. However, through its European branch, the QGallery Berlin Gallery, it has successfully hosted joint international exhibitions, further extending its reach and influence in the global art scene.

Through its various activities, QGallery strives to develop an artistic taste among its visitors, support contemporary art trends, and shape the art market in Azerbaijan. It has become an integral part of the country's cultural life, championing the fine arts of Azerbaijan across different periods and serving as a beacon of enlightenment and artistic excellence.