An art and craft exhibition has opened at the capital’s Expo Center ahead of the 29th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence.It brings together works devoted to the significant date: paintings with historical subject matter, exquisite landscapes showing the beauty of the native country, still lifes glorifying the bounties of Turkmen land, tapestries with intricate motifs, a portrait gallery, elegant jewelry, and designer handmade crafts…
Those, who love and appreciate works by Aya Serkhenova, are delighted to see two new portraits by the famous artist.One of them depicts a strikingly attractive young woman with a laconic rural scene in the background.
She has a tender look in her eyes full of dreams so immeasurable and life-changing.The other is a portrait of a woman, looking straight ahead at the viewer and moving forward confidently.
Aya is an avant-garde artist.This can be seen in the ornament of the women’s headscarves an eye-catching and metaphorical motif that suggests allusions and associative perception of the paintings.
Turkmen dessert has been celebrated by many artists. Every artist sees and depicts it differently, in his own way. For instance, the desert looks like a peaceful, quiet and beautiful expanse of land in a painting by Ishanguly Ishangulyev. Natalia Kalugina’s painting reveals an exquisitely impressive landscape in tender violet and yellow hues.
The exhibition features Polat Annamuradov’s wonderfully poetic paintings devoted to Turkmen nature.A blooming Peganum Harmala plant or yüzärlik is the focal point of one of his paintings.
It is both used as a medicinal herb and a protective amulet.It was a great piece of luck to go to a protected area and spot goitered gazelles or tolai hares.
Polat shared and conveyed his impressions of the visit in the spring landscape imbued with scenic splendor of Turkmen nature.
Works by Toyli Chopanov, “The Game of Chess” and “Zelili”, take the viewer back to a time gone by and offer a fascinating glimpse into history.Toyli’s another painting portrays Magtymguly Pyragy, the great Turkmen poet and thinker, visiting India… Paintings “The Mausoleum of Tekesh” by Guseyn Guseynov and “The Ancient Monument” by Robert Shabunts continue the historical series.
Appetizing bounties of sun-drenched Turkmen land in “Still Life” and “Turkmen Sachak” (a traditional tablecloth used to serve food) by Berdysakhet Kurbansakhetov and Merdan Gylyjov captivate with the play of colors and airy brushwork.
Turkmenistan is an oil- and gas-abundant country. Back in the past artist Polat Annamuradov took part in exploration activities in the Barsagelmes field. In his spare time, he created a series of paintings dedicated to brave exploration geologists. On display are some of those paintings.
The celebratory exhibition boasts a rich array of arts and crafts.Among ceramic works, realistic- and juicy-looking pomegranates by Gulyara Babaeva are particularly eye-catching.Nearby are figurines of two charming girls welcoming guests with a traditional treat, light mouth-watering pishme.
The work titled “Preparations for a Celebration” was finely crafted by Aytach Dashaeva, Gulayra Babaeva’s former student, now working as an art teacher at School No.19 in Ashgabat.
The exhibition presents a new jewelry set made by Enebay Annaberdyeva.A national-style silver necklace encrusted with ruby, carnelian, chrysoprase, and adorned with filigree pendants looks beautifully elegant and delightful.
Bell-shaped earrings nicely complement the necklace.In old days, people believed that the sound produced by silver pendants and earrings could ward off evil spirits, protecting the wearer.
A creative collection of cloth ball-jointed dolls handcrafted by Annabagt Tachmuradova is a big draw, as well.The use of paper clay allows making flexible and posable dolls.
There is certainly no lack of visitors wishing to see the doll-making process or to shake the little beautiful dolls by the hand.The dolls are dressed in women’s national-style dresses, representing traditional clothing of the country’s each region.
Next to them is an amiable fellow in a traditional outfit worn by men.On display are also handmade unburdened camels conjuring up images of caravan routes of the Silk Road.
The diversity of styles and techniques of the exhibits reflect richly varied aspects of the Turkmen people’s life, their indigenous traditions, spiritual continuity, creative talent, peace-loving spirit, openness and hospitality.