About

Publications

Knowledge Database

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.

Mural ‘Did you call your mum today?’. Astana, 42 Saryarka AvenuePhoto from open sources

Artist Ali Zakir

Mural ‘Did you call your mum today?’. Astana, 42 Saryarka AvenuePhoto from open sources

The monumental mural, depicted on the end façade of a multi-storey residential building, is executed in the aesthetic of contemporary street art and topical social typography. The mural’s compositional simplicity and colour palette bring it closer to the visual language of posters and comics. A speech bubble emerges from the stylised image of a telephone receiver, containing the speaker’s words in Kazakh and Russian: ‘Сен бүгін хабарластың ба Анаңмен? / Did you call your MUM today?’. The text is rendered in three colour accents against the calm background of the wall: rich turquoise and pink, evoking an emotional response in the viewer. Integrated into the urban landscape, the mural serves as a reminder and a call to reflect on the value of close family ties.