An international contest has been announced in Baku within the
framework of the TOMA initiative for tapestry and textile art.
TOMA is a cultural Initiative established in memory of Professor
Tamilla Mammadova dedicated to textile art, particularly tapestry.
It seeks to revitalize and promote art textile within national and
international contemporary discourse, bridging heritage and
innovation, science and practice.
Within the framework of the presentation of this international
initiative dedicated to tapestry art, we invite artists, designers,
and authors working in the field of textile art to participate in
this international competition.
About Contest
World of tapestry
In memory of Tamilla Mammadova
TOMA is an international cultural initiative dedicated to
contemporary tapestry and textile art.
Established in memory of Professor Tamilla Mammadova, the
project aims to expand the dialogue between traditional textile
thinking and contemporary artistic practice. TOMA approaches
tapestry not simply as decorative craft, but as a living artistic
language connected to memory, material, space, and contemporary
visual culture.
The inaugural 2026 edition in Baku will take place through an
exhibition, forum, and international curated competition bringing
together local and international participants.
An international jury will evaluate submissions based on:
• originality and professionalism of artistic approach
• understanding of tapestry as a medium of expression and
sensitivity toward material practice
• development of traditional textile language within a
contemporary art context
Selected artists will present their works in the main exhibition
taking place in Baku on June 8, 2026. The initiative will also
offer cash awards for the top three winners, opportunities for
participation in international exhibitions, future collaborations
and symposium projects, as well as international visibility among
curators and art institutions.
The detailed terms of participation and the open call are
available at the link.
