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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.

Almaty. Sounds of the City, 2020.

Nadezhda Abisheva

Абишева Надежда. Алматы. Звуки города, 2020.

The work consists of two interrelated elements: a stylised central figure and a hand separated from it, formed into an ‘OK’ gesture. This division of form creates an effect of fragmentary perception — as if the image of the city were ‘assembled’ from separate sound impulses. The visual structure depicts the face in a generalised manner: with closed eyes and a slightly parted mouth, which may be associated with a state of listening, inner perception or sonic vibration. It is a meditative image capturing a reaction to the urban environment. The hand, depicted separately, becomes an independent element of meaning: it can be interpreted as a sign of ‘tuning in’, ‘capturing a signal’ or ‘catching sound’, which reinforces the work’s concept as an audiovisual translation of the city. The contrast between colour accents and textures emphasises the multi-layered nature of the perception of the urban environment.