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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.

Kise belt

Leather, metal, stamping, gilding, silver engraving, smalt inlay. A. Kasteev National Museum of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Kise belt

Kise Beldik (hunting belt). The item is a traditional hunting belt (kise), serving both a utilitarian and a status-decorative function. Structurally, the belt consists of a leather base with an elaborate system of hanging straps and functional elements designed to carry hunting equipment.The composition features an asymmetrically organised structure: vertical straps are attached to the main belt, ending in solid metal plates and functional details. The central element is designed as a trapezoidal plate with a smalt inlay, serving as a compositional accent. The side straps have flared ends, visually balancing the overall structure of the piece.The decorative design is based on a combination of geometric forms and minimalist ornamentation. The surfaces of the metal elements are finished with stamping, complemented by silver engraving and local gilding, creating a polychromatic effect whilst maintaining a restrained colour palette. The smalt inlay emphasises the centre of the composition and serves as a focal point.Technologically, the piece demonstrates a range of traditional metalworking techniques integrated with leather craftsmanship. The metal plates are secured to the leather base using rivets, ensuring the structure’s durability during active use.Overall, the belt reflects a functionally oriented type of ornamentation, in which decorative qualities are subordinate to practical purpose, yet retain a high degree of artistic refinement characteristic of Kazakh applied art of the late 19th century.