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Traditional and contemporary art of Kazakhstan

A Virtual Journey into the World of Kazakhstan’s Artistic Heritage

This Web Gallery presents the diversity of artistic practices in Kazakhstan, reflecting the continuity of cultural traditions and the dynamic development of contemporary creative processes. The virtual exhibition features works based on national images, symbols, and themes, as well as artworks by contemporary artists who reinterpret the country’s cultural heritage through contemporary artistic forms, expressive means, and modern technologies.

The selected works demonstrate the relationship between traditional and contemporary art, revealing the distinctive features of the national worldview, cultural identity, and cultural meanings. The presented materials allow viewers to trace how elements of historical and cultural heritage are reflected in contemporary artistic practice, while maintaining their significance and relevance in an increasingly globalized world.

The Web Gallery is aimed at promoting Kazakhstan’s artistic heritage, expanding public access to works of art, and fostering a lasting interest in national culture and art among a wide audience.

Black Tekemet, 2017. Zh.T. Bolegenova

Tekemet, 2017 Felt, felting.Photo by S. Suraganova

Болегенова Жансара ТобакабылкызыТекемет, 2017 г.

Carpet – tekemet – a traditional Kazakh felt floor covering made using an archaic technique involving laying out a pattern with dyed wool strands on a layer of wool, after which the pattern is felted together with the background.The background of the carpet determines its name – qara tekemet binary nature of the oppositions in the carpet’s composition is determined by the interplay of colour and the ornamental system, which alludes to the basic canonical element of traditional Kazakh ornamentation – muiiz, which, rotating rhythmically around its axis, forms a motif –tortkulak, enclosed in a rhombus (sharshy).The composition is completed by a concise two-colour border with an accent on the thin burgundy strand separating them, recreating the Rappoport – a positive and negative horn-shaped motif, giving the carpet a sense of wholeness and completeness.