One of the eye-catching works is a painting ‘A Journey to the Past’ by Muhammed Gubaev, a six-year student of the State Academy of Arts. The artist invites the viewer to travel back in time to the medieval city of Merv, take a ride in an araba (cart) lit by morning sunlight, and enjoy eating bunches of juicy grapes. On the right is the fortress of Great Gyzgala, a unique architectural monument with impressively monumental corrugated walls.
Artist Merdan Kakabaev presents his triptych of portraits of bagshis (folk musicians): Bayar Bayramov, Kabeshikh Bakyev and Nazar Bag. Bringing together the outstanding musicians representing different generations, the painter gives particular focus to the importance of continuity in developing traditions of the national genre of music woven with poetry.
People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Yakub Allanurov’s ‘Toi’ features a joyous national celebration with an abundance of food, much fun and breathtaking horse races. The painting captures perfectly the spirit of hospitality and evokes positive emotions.
On display is also a series of landscape paintings differently depicting spectacular autumn colors. Abdysharip Kalandarov’s ‘A Turkmen River’ portrays a sharp bend in the river with sandy banks and yellow bushes. A flock of birds, flying above the water, highlights the harmony of nature.
Tuvak Sakhetova’s ‘Autumn Landscape’ enchants with an array of velvety splashes of light. The breath of autumn, wet trunks of trees, glowing golden foliage - everything is wonderfully poetic.
A landscape painting ‘Autumn’ by Tamara Kiseleva is intensely lyrical. Autumn is here at its best with yellow and red leaves. On a fine calm day when the sun gently warms the ground, it is very pleasant to stroll through a park, breathing in the heady smell of autumn foliage. The exhibition also features four paintings devoted to the Kopetdag Mountains by Saparmamed Mamedov; ‘Desert Landscape’ by Natalia Kalugina in gray, yellow and purple hues; and Valentin Kudryashov’s ‘The Health Footpath’ done in shades of emerald green. The works vividly convey the beauty of Turkmen nature, radiating the energy of creation.
A collection of pottery and ceramic figurines with their startlingly original forms and painting techniques was a big draw for the visitors. Students and young teachers of Institute of Culture under the guidance of People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Maral Ataeva dedicated it to Independence Day of Turkmenistan.