Most of the portraits feature prominent Turkmen cultural figures that have become cult icons for emerging artists. Notably, the centerpiece of the exhibition is a portrait of the established portrait artist, People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Durdy Bayramov. Student Zakirjan Babaev depicted Durdy Bayramov sitting easy and unconstrained on the sofa in his studio with a prepossessing smile on his face.
The studio of the country’s most influential portrait artist was renowned as a welcoming place and was full of his personal belongings that he held dear – the table, which guests gathered around, his books, brushes, easel and flowers.
Spring was a landscape period in Durdy Bayramov’s career. Roses, irises, poppies and bluebells burst into bloom in his paintings. This is where the still-life paintings of a huge bouquet of flowers and a table with fruit and berries originate from. Two more details that appear unnoticed at first view are the portraits of Gennady Brusentsov and Stanislav Babikov, a teacher and a friend of Durdy Bairamov. Apparently, Zakirjan Babaev had been well acquainted with the foremost artist and visited his studio on many occasions. What is more, the emerging artist tastefully and artfully painted the expressive and lifelike portrait.
Next in line is a portrait of People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Handurdy Berdyev, who seems to step out of the dark background. Painter Ogulsuray Rozygulyeva used elements of the academic style. The well-known stage director’s black coat almost melts into the background. It was common practice in bygone days to do portraits in such a manner to accentuate facial expressions. Having skillfully deployed this technique, Ogulsuray depicted the director fiddling with his eyeglasses and thinking over a new theatrical production. To Ogulsuray’s credit, her work is highly impressive.
Dovlet Gurtmuradov’s work ‘Portrait of Sculptor Edy Madatov’ is a real eye-catcher. Back in the past, when the portrait was being exhibited in the gallery for the first time, it created quite a furor. Edy Madatov had an expressive face with deep wrinkles that reflected moderation and kindness, determination and wisdom. Students of the Academy of Arts frequently requested their teacher to sit for a portrait and he honored their requests. Drawing in pencil and then charcoal, Dovlet accurately portrayed the versatility of the master’s inner world. The portrait makes a powerful and lasting impression.
One of the most spectacular oil paintings created by students is ‘Sculptor Edy Madatov’ by Agajan Rejepov. Like Ogulsuray Rozygulyeva’s portrait, it exemplifies the academic style. The black-and-purple background, a brown waistcoat, dark-colored coat, strikingly contrasting with a white shirt, produce a noble color palette, which highlights the teacher’s expressive face – intelligent with a soft glance and deep-set lines.
Inspired by Edy Madatov’s extraordinary face, student Kakageldy Patdykov carved the teacher’s wooden bust. The master’s features are easily recognizable and true to life because Kakageldi managed to closely observe them in lines.
‘Portrait of Chary Amangeldyev’ by Tazegul Joraeva is by far the best of those many portraits of Chary Amangeldyev featured in the Academy’s gallery. Soft acrylics sprawled across the face of the People’s Artist of Turkmenistan with fine wrinkles and the play of sunlight injects some life into it. The painting has much originality, and, in my opinion, the artist’s image is reproduced perfectly.
‘Cotton Pickers’ by Lachin Baylieva stands out among the group portraits with its cheerfulness. The painting shows a group of girls in colorful national dresses. In one of the ‘white gold’ pickers, we recognize Lachin as it is a self-portrait; her fellow students were her models to paint the others. The scene bathed in sunlight emphasizes the young girls’ emotional upheaval.
One of the works is a Realist painting, named ‘Gifts for the Grandson’ by Muratmergen Kuliev. A grandson from the city is about to visit his grandmother. Preparations are complete well in advance and the woman is sitting comfortably on the topchan (an outdoor raised wooden platform people traditionally sit or lie on), staying still, while waiting. She has been apparently sitting like this for a while, because on seeing her totally absorbed in her pleasant thoughts, the three birds begin eating grains out of the bowl close by... The elderly woman positively oozes love and tenderness.
As for sculptural pieces, of particular note are those, which are permanently exhibited here. On show is a finely crafted sculpture, ‘Composer Nury Halmamedov’ by Polat Mammiev, a pupil of Saragt Babaev. It gives the feeling as though you could hear boisterous strains of the wonderful compositions written by him. The maestro’s engrossment in the creative process, his erect posture, his overcoat and scarf waving in the wind have a metaphorical meaning.
Created by Maksat Tugurov, a sculpture of Kurbannazar Ezizov, the poet, who left his lasting mark in the Turkmen culture, presents him in the romantic spirit.
Only a short time ago – a little more than two and half years ago – the gallery became home to a sculpture ‘Durdy Bayramov’ by Muhammed Ovezalyev. When exhibited for the first time, the sculpture sparked intense interest among art lovers. Muhammed was able to brilliantly portray Durdy Bayramov young-looking and happy, going with his easel to work in the open air.
It is the first time the Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan has hosted the portrait exhibition. Its great success makes us hope that themed exhibitions will see the continuation and there is a strong possibility that we will soon be attending an exhibition of still-life and landscape paintings.
