The exhibition of the artist and Honored Artist of Kazakhstan Khassen Abayev entitled ‘The Wonderland’ was opened at the country’s National Museum. The exposition is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the man who stood at the origins of the Kazakh book printing. It features about 200 paintings telling about the history of Kazakhstan. The works were made in painting, graphics and of course in the form of illustrations. Experts say that Abayev's creations have a unique handwriting, purity of thoughts and reality of representation. Combined, these qualities are opening the door to a special world of miracles.
“I’ve begun making paintings of famous people since Kazakhstan gained its Independence. I started out with a portrait of Kassym Amanzholov. As you know, he had a very heavy fate. I also created many works dedicated to Mukhtar Auezov and Saken Seifullin. We have to pass it on to the next generation, because every painting has its own philosophy,” said the Honored Artist of Kazakhstan Khassen Abayev.
“He is an artist who made a huge contribution to the Kazakh fine arts. He worked extensively in the field of graphics and illustrated children's books. At this exhibition, I saw works that had not even been exhibited before. This man certainly has his own signature style,” said artist and Honored Figure of Kazakhstan Osserbai Shoranov.
Abayev has opened a new page in the domestic book graphics. Most importantly, his graphic illustrations very well convey the national color. He was the first to reveal to the Japanese audience the unique differences in the style of Kazakh artists, demonstrating 18 of his works. His paintings were exhibited in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Portugal, France, Spain, Germany, the U.S. and Egypt.
Translation and Editing by Assem Zhanmukhanova
