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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.

Residential house. 19th – early 20th century. Kultobe settlement

Residential house, 19th–early 20th century. Kultobe settlement, Turkestan Region

Residential house. 19th – early 20th century. Kultobe settlement

The architectural composition of the house is characterised by the functionality and enclosed nature of the interior space. The layout was organised around a courtyard system. The inner courtyard served not only as a domestic hub but also as the compositional centre of the house, providing lighting, ventilation and the organisation of the family’s daily life. The architectural forms of the house are characterised by restraint and conciseness, where artistic expressiveness is achieved not through an abundance of decoration, but through the harmony of proportions, the plasticity of the walls and the rhythm of the interior spaces.The interior of the dwelling is organised in accordance with the traditional way of life. The living rooms, with their niches for storing household items, textiles and crockery, occupied a central place. The hearth or tandyr played an important role, serving not only as a functional element but also as the symbolic centre of the family space. The interior décor was complemented by carpets, textiles and decorative and applied art objects, which shaped the artistic atmosphere of the home.