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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.

Jug. Kuyruktobe settlement

From the book: The Artistic Culture of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, 9th–15th Centuries. Volume II. Glass. — Samarkand-Tashkent: MICAI, 2011.

Кувшин из городища Куйруктобе (монументальная форма, эмали и золочение)

The vessel is distinguished by its expressive and monumental form: the squat, almost spherical body transitions smoothly, yet quite sharply, into an excessively elongated, narrow cylindrical neck, which gives the silhouette a vertical orientation. The composition is completed by a flat horizontal rim.The decoration is executed using the complex technique of painting with coloured enamels and gilding, which indicates that the piece belongs to the category of prestigious, possibly court or elite tableware.The ornamental scheme is organised according to a frieze principle, with a clear division of the surface. The neck is decorated with horizontal bands featuring plant motifs. Particular attention is drawn to the delicate graphic rendering of the details: red enamel is used for the outlines and graceful scrolls.The main focus of the composition is on the body, where large medallions or figurative cartouches are placed, forming the central decorative field.