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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.

Zharğaq shalbar

From the REM collection

Zharğaq shalbar

Zhargak shalbarEmbroidered men’s trousers (Kazakh “shalbar”), widely used in Central Asia and Kazakhstan, are a detail of the costume and distinctive markers of belonging to ancient male unions of hunters, warriors, participants in sports competitions and servants. The genesis of this costume detail dates back to the clothing worn by participants in the Iranian ritual wrestling known as khondy. As is well known, the meaning of wrestling, or any combat in traditional culture, can be broadly traced back to the struggle between two forces: dark and light.The Central Asian trousers under analysis were sewn from the finest suede, traditionally yellowish-ochre in colour, originally produced by nomads.Several examples of suede trousers belonging to the Kazakhs are kept in the REM (No. 8762-23497/1), the State Museum of the East and some Kazakhstani collections. These sharovary were decorated with rosette-shaped ornaments on the sides and the sacred bottom was specially decorated. Their decor consisted of embroidery with floral patterns made with silk threads: red, green, blue and partly white.