Astana is currently hosting an
exhibition dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the country’s National Museum,
titled ‘Painting of the Steppe: Symbols, Colors, Images.’ This exposition
offers a vibrant display of Kazakh national fine art, featuring legendary works
by outstanding masters as well as contemporary pieces by emerging talents. With
around 250 paintings on display, the exhibition also presents traditional
jewelry art, weaving, handicrafts, and national musical instruments.
“The National Museum houses more
than 14 collections and over 200,000 exhibits. It is impossible to show
everything in a single exhibition. Therefore, we try to present some of them to
residents and guests of Astana at curated displays like this,” said Aibek
Sydykov, the museum’s acting director.
Olga Baturina devoted her entire
life to the study of fine arts. She has been teaching at the university for 30
years and has already trained multiple generations of art students exploring
the history of Kazakh painting. It is not surprising that she was chosen to
lead the first tour of this exhibition.
“After all, the real, authentic
Kazakh art is music, as musicality is felt in every work of Kazakh painting and
decorative and applied art. Each work bears the imprint of its creator,
showcasing remarkable talent and diversity across genres and styles. Each
artwork, whether depicting the steppe landscape, Atameken, family life, or
nature, resonates with the spirit and philosophy of Kazakh culture,” noted
exhibition curator Olga Baturina.
