Oxford:Azerbaijani artist Aysha Nagiyeva has emerged as the winner of the Wolfson College Painting Competition 2026 at the University of Oxford.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the competition attracted over 250 entries from artists across various age groups, displaying a wide array of themes and experiences. The judges were notably impressed by the diversity and passion evident in the submissions, as well as the intriguing stories and inspirations behind each piece.

Aysha, a graduate of the City and Guilds of London Art School with First Class Honours in Fine Art in 2021, submitted an oil on canvas painting titled Ten of Cups II. This piece was part of her 2023 solo exhibition, Major Arcana, and delves into her ongoing exploration of the Nevalyashka doll. In her art, the doll serves as a cultural symbol and personal talisman, through which she investigates how images and memories are passed down, reinterpreted, and reshaped by personal experiences.

In Ten of Cups II, Aysha aims to evoke a sense of abundance through her use of color and composition, while also introducing an underlying hint of instability. The figures in the painting appear to be captured in a fleeting moment of balance, suggesting that the equilibrium could change at any moment.