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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.

New Motif, 2009. Oil on canvas. From the artist’s personal archive

Shamil Guleev

Гулеев Шамиль. Новый мотив, 2009 г. Холст, масло. Из личного архива художника

The composition is constructed on the principle of a fragmentary view from above, creating the effect of drawing the viewer into the space of the image. The plot is based on the traditional process of collectively felting a tekemet, yet instead of the usual ornamental motifs, the artist introduces images of road signs arranged in a rhythmic decorative band. This artistic technique links traditional culture with images of modern urban civilisation.Of particular interest is the treatment of the female figures. The artist avoids detailed individualisation of the faces, focusing instead on the plasticity of gestures and poses. As a result, the characters are perceived not as specific individuals, but as generalised female figures symbolising collective participation in the creation of a new cultural space. The symbolism of road signs carries significant meaning. They function not only as elements of urban infrastructure but also as a distinctive visual language of the new civilisation, reflecting the system of rules, landmarks and social codes of contemporary society. The inclusion of these signs within the structure of the traditional tekemet emphasises the idea of the transformation of cultural memory and the interaction of national tradition with the realities of the modern world.