Throughout his life Bayramov worked and traveled extensively both within Turkmenistan and around the world, a practice he continued until his final years. One country he longed to experience was Canada, a land he idealized as “an isolated and far-away place with frigid winters and unique, beautiful scenery”. This dream was realized in 2012, when Bayramov arrived in Toronto to experience Canadian life and create art. The master was not disappointed: he instantly fell in love with the country’s natural beauty, geographic diversity, and wildlife. Not surprisingly, Bayramov found himself inspired to paint the Canadian landscapes he encountered. During his stay he witnessed Canada’s vibrant seasonal transitions, from a breezy and serene summer to a colorful autumn, which finally gave way to the snow and cold of what he could only describe as a “winter wonderland.” Although he lived in the North York region of Toronto, Bayramov also traveled to Ottawa, Montreal, and Mont-Tremblant, where he painted a stunning series titled “Canadian Autumn”. His relatively limited time in Canada makes his seemingly effortless ability to capture the colours and character of the country all the more remarkable.

Bayramov’s third daughter, Keyik Bayramova, was tormented by the likelihood that her father’s dream to share his art with the people of Canada might go unfulfilled. Determined to honour her father’s final wishes, in 2014 she organized a solo tribute exhibition of a selection of his paintings in the Toronto home she once shared with him. The exhibition was a major success: accolades poured in from visitors and the significance and beauty of Bayramov’s art was celebrated widely in the Canadian press. This flood of positive feedback encouraged Keyik and her family to continue their efforts to build the artist’s legacy in Canada. Bayramov left behind an estate containing the world’s largest single collection of his works, comprised of thousands of artistic creations as well as innumerable letters, notebooks, and other archival materials. His family was determined to share this legacy with the world. In recognition of the global significance of Bayramov’s art, as well as the intense passion for his work in Canada, the Bayramov family established the Durdy Bayramov Art Foundation in 2015. By making his artistic works accessible to the public, the Foundation celebrates and advances Durdy Bayramov’s dream of sharing the joy and wonder of art with people everywhere.