Bone carving - an
ancient craft of the Kazakh people - is being revived by a craftswoman from
Karagandy. Evgeniya Shults is the only woman
in the country engaged in a craft that was once considered exclusively male. It
takes her several months to create pieces inspired by the history and culture
of the nomads. Her unique works, rich in national flavor, require intense
concentration, precision, perseverance, patience, and, of course, professional
skill and a special spiritual state. According to the artisan, she owes much of
her mastery to the experience she gained from German craftsmen. From bone and
horn, she creates vessels and decorative elements for yurts and furniture,
inlaying them with natural stones.
«Bone carving itself is a truly fascinating and intricate craft. First, we take an ordinary bone, which must be thoroughly boiled with the addition of various chemicals. These chemicals are added in strict proportions; otherwise, the piece of art could be ruined. Once the bone is ready, it is dried and then carved using a rotary tool,» said ethno-designer Evgeniya Shults.
For more than ten
years, Evgeniya has been creating paintings, clothing, and accessories made of
felt. She is now preparing to present a series of works titled Hymn to the
Great Steppe, dedicated to the traditions of the Kazakh people and the
beauty of nature, at an exhibition marking Republic Day. The exhibition will
also feature her painting The Philosophy of Nomads, which reflects the
nomadic spirit and history of
«What Evgeniya creates never ceases to amaze - not only with its beauty, but also with the depth of her knowledge of history and traditional craftsmanship. She brings her own unique vision to each piece, putting her heart, knowledge, skills, and talent into her work,» shared Karagandy resident Diya Yerzhanova.
The artist’s works are highly valued
abroad. Her bone and felt creations are popular in the
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