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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.

Towel, 1960

Collection of the State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 53-tk. 1960s. • Taldykorgan Region • Folk artist Kozhabayeva Baysyn • Cotton, satin, lace, coloured threads, tambour stitch

Полотенце.

The base of the item is white cotton fabric, characteristic of 19th–20th-century household textiles. The decorative section is executed using the tambour embroidery technique, in which the ornament is formed by chain-like stitches, creating smooth contour lines and a dense filling of the pattern.The composition is symmetrical: the embroidered ornamental panels are situated at both ends of the towel and mirror one another, forming a balanced decorative structure. The lower section is adorned with a wavy border, which creates a rhythmic line and visually completes the composition.Floral motifs take centre stage in the ornamentation. They are represented by stylised rosettes and blossoming flowers, surrounded by flowing plant shoots, leaves and scrolls. Floral symbolism is traditionally associated with notions of vitality, beauty, fertility and prosperity.The colour scheme is based on a combination of bright shades of red, pink, green and ochre against a white fabric background. The contrasting colour palette enhances the decorative expressiveness of the embroidery and emphasises the ornamental structure of the composition.