“Musicians, singers, artists are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime. Every day, they face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their fear that they’ll never work again. Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream. With every note, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgment. With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life – the car, the family, the house, the nest egg. Why? Because musicians are willing to give their entire lives to a moment – to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul. Musicians are beings who had tasted life’s nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another’s heart. In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.”
― David Ackert
How wonderfully put, how expressive and most importantly, exact! Part of the artist’s everyday work is not only the physical and technical aspect of the routine, but it is also an endless emotional struggle with “yourself” so to say. Sometimes I think it is more of a daily survival rather then what most people imagine and romanticise about the artist’s life. I usually do not like talking about hardship and the struggle of my work. I understand that not only artist are the ones who sacrifice so much in their lives to achieve their goals. But I must say that today I will be presenting to you a very different story – not the kind you will read in many autobiographical texts about inspiration and creativity for various exhibitions and publications. For good or bad, I don’t want to write another pleasant story.
Being born in the family of an artist gave me priceless life experience and a deep understanding of how things are not simple. There were times when my father had to leave behind his artistic freedom and take jobs that would provide for the family and create an environment for me where I could study, grow and develop as an artist. He succeeded, and from the very first steps in the world of art, I have always had the opportunity to experiment and not think about money or materials. I was free! Maximalism and Nihilism were often part of my self- expression, but I always tried to look at the world from different points of view and was eager to share what I saw. Most likely having this freedom is the reason that I work in many different techniques and media and to this day, I love to learn and try something new. I guess it’s an almost school-like approach to art. For example, even before entering art school, I was fascinated by the study of printing technology on linoleum and metal. Later, I began to discover new opportunities for myself – painting, ceramics and textiles came into my life already at the Academy of Arts.
In my youth, I was inspired by the works of the masters of Contemporary Western Art. While imitating the style of one or another artist, I was growing, developing and trying myself. Between the age of 15 – 25, I was influenced by everything that seemed new and progressive to me. The experience I gained I use today in my work – experimenting with gold and silver, using 3-D objects. I have silicon paintings, a 2-D flat sculpture made out of copper, bronze and steel. In quite a voluminous series of works made in mixed media technique, I use plastic, wood and fabric to create desirable effect and texture. I believe that thematically many of my works are connected by the fact that it is an abstract composition exploring industrialisation and the city lifestyle which I love. I like Cities. I endlessly enjoy the dynamic and movement that is often present in metropolises: fashion trends, technology, endless contrasts between moderation and luxury. New forms and eclecticism of the City will not leave you indifferent. And I am a part of this world. This is an entirely different harmony. It is Abstract — the balance of the winner, the harmony of Homo Civitas – urban human.
At the same time, with no less interest, I embrace another more quiet and contemplative part of life. Enjoying the smoothness of the lake, a dense forest, flowers and the most unpredictable forms of plants, birds singing, a variety of animals, and just the movement of clouds in the sky during the day and the twinkling of stars at night, I always see it as a symbolic story. As part of my other life.
There is one more thing that had a significant influence on my work; it is connected with the place where I was born – Turkmenistan. A fantastic world of Decorative Arts. First of all, it is, of course, the tradition of seeing everything that I described above. They are graphic interpretations of stories from life or legends which are turned into stylised ornaments, into symbolism. I spent a lot of time studying this decorative world. Now I often travel and work in different countries, which allows me to compare and enrich my world with discoveries related to different cultures and their values. It’s not easy to keep and nurture everything that has influenced me over the years. Of course, I am changing, and I see that this process is accelerating. Did I find myself? Will I ever? It’s hard for me to say, but one thing I know for sure – I’m not going to stop or leave everything that I love so much. I hope that out of thousands of works that I have created in the past 25 years, some deserve your attention.
Curriculum Vitae
1990-1992: Design school of Ashgabat
1992-1994: Art College, Ashgabat.
1995-2001: State Artists Academy of Turkmenistan
1996-1997: Student year abroad at Novosibirsk State Architecture Academy, Russia.
2004: Entered the Artists Union of Turkmenistan.
Solo Exhibitions
1995: Theater of Opera and Ballet ‘Makhtumkuli’, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
1996: The State Arts Museum of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
1999: The State Arts Museum of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
1999: Ceramics at Open Space, Ukrainian Embassy, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2001: Studio Juma, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2002: National Museum of Arts, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2003: Studio Juma, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2004: Business Center, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2004: Studio Juma, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2005: Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting Exhibition Hall, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2005: Studio Juma. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2006: Business Center, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2006: Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting Exhibition Hall, Ashgabat Turkmenistan.
2006: Studio Juma, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2007: Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting Exhibition Hall, Ashgabat Turkmenistan.
2007: Studio Juma, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2008: American Embassy, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2008: French Embassy, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2009: National Museum of Arts, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2009: Gallery ArtPlace88. Bern, Switzerland.
2010: American Embassy, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2010: Art 1 studio, Singapore, Singapore.
2011: Studio Juma, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2011: Art 1 studio, Singapore, Singapore.
2011: Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting Exhibition Hall, Ashgabat Turkmenistan.
2012: Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting Exhibition Hall, Ashgabat Turkmenistan.
2012: The Gallery Vera Art International, Singapore, Singapore.
2016: Vernisage at Pop-Up Store, Bern, Switzerland.
2016: The Kulturpunkt Exhibition Hall, Bern, Switzerland.
2019: Russian Embassy, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Art Fairs
2016: Affordable Art Singapore, 2016. Singapore, Singapore.
2017: Affordable Art Singapore, 2017. Singapore, Singapore.
2018: Art Fairs Singapore, 2018. Singapore, Singapore.
2018: Doll Art Fair, 2018. Moscow, Russia.
2019: 2019 World Art Dubai. Dubai, UAE.
Group Exhibitions
1997: Novosibirsk Regional Museum, ‘Art and Shock’, Novosibirsk, Russia.
1998: Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting Exhibition Hall, competition sponsored by United Nations
Organization; ‘50th anniversary of Declaration of Human Rights’, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Awarded 2nd Prize
1998: Meshed Academy, Students Exhibition, Tehran, Iran.
2003: Wimple Hall ‘Exhibition of Turkmen Painters’, Harrogate, UK.
2004: Central Exhibition Hall of Turkmenistan, ‘Spring Exhibition’, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
2004: Central House of Painters, ‘Saloon 04’, Moscow, Russia.
2004: Swan Mead Gallery, ‘Works on paper from Turkmenistan’, London, UK.
2004: Museum Umau, Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan.
2004: Central Asian Arts Academy, Bishkek, Kirgizstan.
2005: 3rd International Biennale of Moslem Countries, Meshed, Iran.
2005: Central House of Painters, ‘Saloon 05’, Moscow, Russia.
2005: Festival UNESCO, ‘Cultural diversity and dialogue in Central Asia’, Paris, France.
2005: Mercer Art Gallery, ‘Exhibition of Turkmen painters’, Harrogate, UK.
2006: Central House of Painters, ‘Saloon 06’, Moscow, Russia.
2006: 4th International Biennale of Moslem Countries, Meshed, Iran.
2007: Shish, Central Asian Arts Association Exhibition, London, UK
2007: Central House of Painters, ‘Saloon 07’, Moscow, Russia.
2007: Asia House, ‘Beyond the Caspian Sea’, London, UK.
2007: Mercer Art Gallery, ‘Beyond the Caspian Sea’, Harrogate, UK.
2008: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Central Asian Arts Association Exhibition, London, UK
2008: Central House of Painters, ‘Saloon 08’, Moscow, Russia.
2009: Yanggallery, ‘Journey to China, Russia & Singapore, Singapore.
2009: Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting Exhibition Hall, Project Chitim. Austria – Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
2009: Russian Cultural Center, ‘Exhibition of Turkmen Painters’, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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