Artist With Down Syndrome, Maryam Alakbarli, Debuts Works At AQUA Art Miami

Maryam Alakbarli, a talented French painter with Down syndrome, will make her AQUA Art Miami debut during this year's Miami Art Week. The Paris-based artist's work, which include drawings, acrylics and oil on canvas, will be featured at the BP Project gallery booth # at AQUA Art Miami, a sister fair of Art Miami, at the AQUA Hotel in Miami Beach. A VIP Preview will be held on Wednesday, December 6 before the fair opens its doors to the public December 7-10.

The 26-year old artist, who was born in Baku, Azerbaijan with Down syndrome, brings her unique perspective to her art. Using the brightest colors of spring and "of the heart", Maryam's pieces, which include deconstructed portraits, voluptuous nudes and still life paintings, have fascinated and captured the attention of collectors and celebrities, including John Travolta, Juliette Binoche and Michael Douglas.

Since childhood Maryam's parents and friends have encouraged her to express herself, first by music and singing, then art. Though 95% non-verbal, Maryam understands several languages. After studying art in Baku and then in Moscow, she took classes as a free auditor at Arts Déco and then at Beaux-Arts in Paris. Maryam's works go from the naivety of a bouquet of flowers, to the complexity of a face, to the sweetness of a self-portrait.

Since 2010, Maryam works have been featured in 27 shows in 13 countries, including France, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Turkey, Japan and the United States. Her first sale came in October 2016 and since then Maryam has sold 24 paintings often to knowledgeable collectors including award-winning actor Gerard Depardieu who purchased "Composition 12", a 180 x 250 acrylic on canvas for $20,000 in November 2017.

This will be the first time that Maryam shows at AQUA Art Miami, the must-attend destination for influential collectors and art professionals to discover fresh talent and acquire works from emerging and mid-career artists. This year, 52 international exhibitors will present exciting works in intimate exhibition rooms that open onto the classic South Beach hotel's beautiful courtyard.

Through the years, AQUA Art Miami has solidified itself as a unique event that stays true to its signature 'relaxed-yet-energetic' vibe, which is why it remains a favorite gathering spot for both seasoned and new collectors to view and purchase art of the highest quality while exchanging cultural ideas and forming meaningful connections. Once again, the fair will host spellbinding performance pieces while exhibiting a curated selection of special projects.

For further information or tickets to check out Maryam's works, please visit www.AQUAartmiami.com.

AQUA Hotel: 1530 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139

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