During the Soviet period, there was a notable influence of the Russian language and culture on various aspects of life in Azerbaijan, including daily language. It became common for people, especially in urban areas and among the younger generation, to use Russian terms of endearment and address family members. In this context, the term “mama” (mom) had replaced the Azerbaijani word “ana” – for “mother”.
In Ana, the artist shows four generations of her family (her grandmother, her mother, herself, and her daughter), each saying the name for ‘mother’ that they grew up with. The work explores the emotion attached to the word, despite it changing through the generations due to outside influences. Ultimately, the work is a testament to strength, continuity, and enduring love.