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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.

Fragment of a vessel. Kayalyk settlement

From the book: The Artistic Culture of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, 9th–15th Centuries. Volume II. Glass. — Samarkand-Tashkent: MICAI, 2011.

Fragment of a vessel. Kayalyk settlement

Before us are fragments of a cup-shaped vessel, executed using the complex technique of painting with coloured enamels and gilding.The decorative composition is organised according to a register-based principle. In the central section, a wide horizontal band stands out, bearing a calligraphic inscription, likely executed in one of the varieties of Arabic script. Such epigraphic friezes traditionally contained auspicious phrases (‘happiness’, ‘prosperity’, ‘longevity’) or texts glorifying the owner or patron of the piece. The inscription not only conveys meaning but also serves as an important decorative element, setting the rhythm of the entire composition.The rich blue (lapis lazuli) background serves as a contrasting backdrop for the inscriptions executed in gold. In the lower section, an exquisite arabesque ornament can be seen—a complex interweaving of stems and stylised leaves.