The multifaceted artistic career of Saragt Babaev irresistibly draws much attention.His personal exhibition is always an eagerly anticipated event.The exhibition recently held at the capital’s Exhibition Center was no exception.
With so many art lovers, who came to admire the maestro’s finely crafted works, the exhibition hall resembled a crowded city bus at rush hour.Yet this was not an inconvenience, but rather a joyous occasion and a vivid demonstration of people’s great love for the artist.
Art experts have written books about Saragt Babaev, artists have painted his portraits, and almost all emerging sculptors consider him their teacher although he is not teaching at the Academy of Arts.
His studio is always full of students, drawing sketches, modeling with clay and sometimes (if luck is on their side) helping the teacher to create masterpieces.They hone their craft and skills side by side with the accomplished artist...
Portraits of Saragt Babaev took up most of the first floor of the Exhibition Center.Artists Mered Annagulyev, Yarly Bairamov, Ata Alovov, Begench Berkeliev, Jennet Annagulyeva to name but a few have immortalized the grand master and his well-known sculptures in their canvases.
Among the stylistically diverse portraits stand out those by Baili Babaev, who depicted Saragt Babaev in a humorous caricature style: with a huge nose, thin long neck and strands of hair on his forehead.
Who is that artist who was brave enough to portray the maestro in such a manner?!This is a son of the people’s artist.It is either his genes or the artistic environment he grew up in (or most probably a combination of both) that influenced the boy who learned how to draw before he could talk.
The exhibition presents a collection of works, most of which are devoted to his father.Active participation of the family of the sculptor (who recently celebrated his birthday) makes the exhibition unique.
His spouse Gulyara Babaeva and his daughter Bakhar Annagulyeva are ceramists.Saragt Babaev’s admirers had the chance not only to get to know his new creations, but also to get a glimpse of his true family happiness, in which, according to his friends and colleagues, he finds inspiration.
The artist tends to agree with this: “A close-knit family is a reliable source of support”.Diverse in styles and themes, a 200-item-plus collection features sculptures made at different times.
It is a fusion of talent, exquisite taste and philosophical subtexts thanks to which the sculptural pieces are wonderfully versatile and poetic.A bust of Oguzkhan, a part of the monumental sculpture “Oguzkhan and his sons” adorning the traffic circle at Ashgabat International Airport, mesmerizes with its massive solidity.
Cast in bronze, the handsome and determined face with the strength of will, piercing gaze and imposing grandeur this is how Saragt Babaev sees it.One of the life-size plaster sculptures, “Makhtumkuli Fragi”, was a big draw for the visitors.
The gaze of the poet (who was also a philosopher and patriot) testifies to the trials and troubles of life as well as wisdom, while the erect posture to the strength of mind.
Of particular note is the poet’s inspired face, which is especially fascinating.Saragt Babaev is truly brilliant at creating canonical sculptures, where he uses his imagination.We cannot see the working process and a great deal of effort the sculptor puts in.
But we have the chance to greatly enjoy the fruits of his hard work.
Not only can Saragt Babaev be lyrical as seen in the statuette titled “Spring” (a stick-thin teenaged girl extends her arms to the sun), but his creations can also take a playful tone.
This is well exemplified by the sculpture known as “Mukam” (three naked babies with dutars).On display is a bust of Saragt Babaev’s mother, who once “arranged” a failing grade for her son...
Back in the past, when Saragt decided to enter an art school in Ashgabat, she agreed with a teacher, an acquaintance of hers, that he would deliberately give her son a low grade on his entrance exam.
Saragt’s mother wanted him to live and work in their village and she sincerely believed that she did it for her son’s good.As time went by, she came to understand and respect her talented boy’s choice of profession; she regretted what she had done before.
Her son did not take offense after all, she is his mother!Among a host of works on view are clay figurines of bakhshi Sakhi Jepbarov, artist Ata Alovoi, sculptor Babasary Annamuradov, artist Chary Amangeldyev and of many other famous figures acquaintances and friends of Saragt Babaev.
One of Saragt’s creations Ashgabat residents hold dear is the sculpture of Garajaoglan that stands in the capital’s historical center.The exhibition features a miniature version of the sculpture that recounts some history behind it.
Initially, there were two birds sitting on the shoulder of Garajaoglan, but later Saragt Babaev decided to leave only one of them suggesting that the young man does miss his sweetheart dearly and longs to see her.
The sculptor placed the other bird on the dutar since Garajaoglan was not only a handsome young man but also a remarkable poet and singer.The artistic gift of Saragt Babaev, a leading sculptor in Turkmenistan, has made the capital and practically all major cities in the country uniquely beautiful.
There is a joke popular with painters: “If you do not know who has made an artfully crafted sculpture, mention Saragt Babaev’s name you are unlikely to be wrong”.
He lives a vivid and vibrant life and is at the top of his profession thanks to his talent which helps him to reveal diverse elements of the world around us in his creations.