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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.

Kerme, 1980s of the 20th c.

1980s. Mangystau Region. Collection of the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan

Kerme, 1980s of the 20th c.

Kerme — a traditional bag for storing household items, serving both a utilitarian and decorative function within the yurt’s interior. This example is made using the lint-free weaving technique. The front side is designed in the style of a carpet, with a clear distinction between the central field and the border.The central field is covered with a sharshy pattern (diamond, square), within which ormekshi (‘spider’) motifs are inscribed. The diamond-shaped structure organises the composition, lending it stability and rhythmic completeness. In traditional semantics, the sharshy is associated with the earth, fertility and an ordered space. The ormekshi motif is linked to the idea of weaving, connection and the continuity of existence.The borders are decorated with ‘tis’ (‘teeth’) and ‘tumarsha’ patterns. The serrated ornament serves a protective function, forming a symbolic boundary, whilst the ‘tumarsha’ (amulet) reinforces the protective meaning of the artefact.Overall, the kerme is not merely a storage vessel, but an artistically crafted object with pronounced protective symbolism.