The Museum of Fine Arts is currently running an exhibition of works by Turkmen artists to mark the International Day of Older Persons. The stylistically diverse and meaningful exposition brings together works by luminaries, budding young artists and sculptors and tells about the Turkmen nation’s spiritual and moral values based on reverence and respect for elderly people.
Taking a close look at the exhibits, I saw a portrait of the woman whose face looked very familiar to me… It was Mamajan-eje.Back in the past, we told her story in one of our publications.
Fate brought the woman and the Adamov family together.During the Great Patriotic War, she lived in their house, and knitted warm national-style warm socks (jorabs) for front-line soldiers.
She is immortalized in Evgenia Adamova’s painting Turkmen Women - To the Motherland’.
This was the first time I had seen the portrait of Mamajan-eje by the artist. It features that same thin woman who looks more tangible and vulnerable, but her eyes are full of hope and firm belief. Her white scarf, slipping off her head, suggests something allegorical…
“Autumn” by People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Kossek Nurmuradov is one of the exhibition’s highlights.The artwork, which has another name “Reflection on Eternal Verities”, delights with its philosophical meaning and a warm, subdued autumn palette not typical of the artist’s distinctive use of color.
It portrays two elderly friends walking under dense crowns of mighty trees with fiery red and golden foliage.The setting sun’s rays create soft highlights in the young branches.
The hyperbolic trees and accurately captured subtle nuances encourage deep reflection on fundamental principles of life and stress the unbroken continuity between generations.
People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Annadurdy Almamedov’s “Grandmother” irradiates sincere love, reverence and respect. Despite her age, the woman is full of energy and optimism. The remarkably eloquent expressionist style of painting accents the woman’s personal qualities. Brown hues dominating the work exude kindness and give the impression of the sparkling sun and the riot of colors.
“Revelation” by People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Durdy Bayramov is a big draw for visitors trying to figure out the mystery of its narrative elements.Four people dealing with difficult situations, portrayals filled with pain, despair and disappointment … What has happened in their lives?
The late artist did not reveal the secret.Trying to guess Durdy Bayramov’s message hidden behind textured brushstrokes, I recollected the saying “No man ever steps in the same river twice…”
“Mother” by famous Mary-based artist Annadurdy Murataliev is enormously appealing.The artist skillfully managed to give a generalized portrayal of the Turkmen mother.The gentle and even-tempered woman has a calm expression on her face, and her eyes are glowing with kindness.
The viewer can infer from that that all is well with her children and her family.The painting features a cheerful fire burning in the hearth, mouth-watering shurpa soup in a large cooking pot, and the mother sitting bolt upright on the floor.
The snow-capped peaks of the mountains in the background look like low hills.The picture has a universal message that everybody can relate to: a mother is a person who can take the place of all others but no one can ever replace her.
Taking care of your parents you keep the fire burning in your hearth!