NEWS
CREATED IN 2020. AN ART EXHIBITION
The State Academy of Arts is currently running in its gallery an end-of-year exhibition of artworks by students representing all departments. The exhibition was first organized in 2016, and it has since been held every December. On display are 300-plus paintings, arts and crafts, created by emerging artists in 2020.
First-year student Gyzylgul Khudaiberdyeva presents a painting entitled “Celebrating Neutrality”. Her painting reveals an unexpected approach: it features a little girl with glowing light-colored eyes, playing the violin. For certain, the music is devoted to Neutrality Day. Her listeners, a horse and a dove, are in a festive mood too, and her concert hall is the Kopetdag foothills ablaze with blooms. What captivates the viewer is how the artist managed to perfectly capture the characters’ moods.
Tavus Mammedova decided to welcome Neutrality Day with the famous Turkmen dance Kushtdepti, and devoted a painting of the same name to the holiday. It depicts a group of dancers in red national dresses performing the fascinating Turkmen dance in a circus arena amid riders on galloping horses. Tavus was able to convey the dynamic movements of the circus performers and dancers, and their great teamwork.
Of particular note is “Gaining Knowledge” by Byagul Artykova, portraying the serious global situation. Both a teacher giving a lecture and students taking notes all wear masks. No doubt, the virulent virus will be brought under control and the pandemic will be all in the past. Some time afterwards, looking at the painting, viewers will think it odd that all those present in the auditorium wear masks. And they will be explained that once the world faced the situation when mask wearing was life-saving. And now Byagul’s unconventional vision deserves a mention.
The end-of-year exhibition features a series of works by Ogulsuray Rozygulova. Ogulsuray is a gifted portrait artist. Her works are a visible testament to this. She offers portrayals of renowned musicians, singers, artists… Not only do her portraits bear a remarkable likeness to the celebrities, but they also reflect their individual personalities. For instance, one of her portraits shows People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Atajan Berdyev and Honored Artist Vladimir Mkrtumov rehearsing before their performance. Dressed in suits, the two performers finalize a small detail just before the concert. The impulsivity of the pianist and the singer’s desire to capture vocal nuances – this is how Ogulsuray portrayed them.
A portrait of Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Khandurdy Berdyev by the young painter reveals the eminent art figure’s rich and vivid imagination hidden behind deep concentration and reticence. Ogulsuray depicts famous people as though she had personally known them since childhood. Her works eloquently testify that she has enormous potential in this genre. I cannot help but remember People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Durdy Bayramov. Hopes are high that Ogulsuray will excel herself in portrait painting like the distinguished artist.
First-year student Makhym Atakova, like Ogulsuray Rozygulova, is exhibiting a whole series of works. She has her individual style and distinctive color palette – rich and varicolored with predominant brown hues. The subjects of her paintings are versatile: late autumn, a bouquet of autumn flowers, and a rural woman in the yard… One of the paintings stands alone with its humorous touch. It depicts three girls in a workroom, most probably Makhym’s fellow art students. Having put their sketches aside, they nestle together watching a movie on the notebook computer. The painting is entitled “Indian Movie”. Their faces reflect emotional engagement with characters!
Aynabat Jumamuradova’s painting shows a mulberry tree nearby a bus stop at the edge of the village. This tree, which features a loudspeaker, road signs, notices, and advertisements, serves as a main information center for the villagers. Even for cranes flying south for the winter the tree is a guiding landmark. That is why Aynabad named her work “Cranes”.
Aynabat’s own peculiar brand of humor may probably help her in the future to become a worthy successor to satirical artist Atajan Ashirov, whose solo exhibition of humorous and comical works at the Museum of Fine Arts on April 1 every year attracts many of those who love jokes.
Why did the female art students’ works entice us so much while we were taking the tour of the exhibition?
– Indeed, many talented girls are studying at the Academy of Arts, art expert Guncha Gurbangeldyeva answered the question. Unlike the previous exhibitions, this one boasts less historical and more innermost subject matters without battle scenes. This adds a uniquely feminine touch. Works by creative young people tell the story of the Turkmen nation’s traditions.
As for sculptural pieces on view, truly eye-catching is an allegorical sculpture entitled “Fruits of Peaceful Life” by Merdan Babajanov. It depicts a young man taming a big bull. The man and the animal with beautiful and strong bodies fight bravely with each other. The powerful bull apparently symbolizes life. And in order to be successful in life, one has to take the bull by the horns. And Merdan’s sculpture amply demonstrates that it takes a great deal of effort.
Salyk Saparmammedov’s realistic-looking sculpture of a young figure skater entitled “Ice Dance” is no less impressive. The little girl is so true to life, her visibly relaxed stance and her arms spread wide express the joy she is filled with when dancing.
The works we have told you about are just a small part of the exhibited richly diverse students’ works celebrating modern-day achievements. Every visitor to the exhibition will discover something special and unique, and will find real enjoyment in the beauty.