Tamara Kiselyova celebrated her 85th birthday with her friends, who gathered at the Museum of Fine Arts to wish the artist a happy birthday and see her solo exhibition featuring new works. Among them were art experts Azat Annaev and Oba Mukhatov, artists Saparmammed Meredov, Babasary Annamuradov, Natalia Kalugina, Lyudmila Ulakina, and many adoring fans.
The birthday celebrant was offered many warm and kind wishes just as touching and sincere as her watercolor paintings.
Tamara Mikhailovna grew up in the scenic, small town of Tejen where life moved at a slower and more relaxed pace. The girl was very fascinated by their backyard garden where she helped her mother to grow flowers and vegetables. It seemed to the child that absolutely wonderful things happened there: a tiny seed planted in the soil sprouted and then grew into pumpkins, eggplants, and cabbages. Truly miraculous! The girl often came to the garden to draw pencil sketches in her notepad. At the time when there was not much in the garden to look at, she copied reproductions from magazines. Tamara practiced drawing all the time. She found it really fascinating to see how her imagination made everyday objects take on different shapes and change color…
Once famous artist Aikhan Hajiev came to Tejen from Ashgabat and Tamara Mikhailovna’s mother showed her daughter’s drawings to him. “If she works hard, she will succeed”, the celebrated artist gave his verdict.
Tamara Mikhailovna still had doubts, making a choice between painting and plant cultivation. Therefore, after finishing school she went to Ashgabat and applied for admission to both Agricultural Institute (presently Agricultural University) and the Art College. She let fate decide for her, but… she was admitted to the two institutions. What an unexpected turn of events! She had to attend classes at the Institute and College. Eventually, Tamara Mikhailovna chose painting, especially as her mentor was none other than Aikhan Hajiev.
After graduating from the Art College, she worked as an art and technical drawing teacher at Ashgabat Secondary School No. 12 for a few years. Tamara Mikhailovna often took her students to a neighboring park to draw and paint en plein air and taught them to see beauty in every detail. Botany was still dear to her heart and she was capable of noticing something what other artist could have overlooked. And she generously shared her skills with her students.
She worked as an artist designer at the Ashgabat Service Center for a long time. Her paintings depict wonderful chrysanthemums, roses, and oxeye daisies. Her favorite subject matter is a juicy fragrant melon. In ‘The Fig Tree’ Tamara Kiselyova perfectly captured the beauty of a tree with delicious inky fruits.
In 2011 Tamara Kiselyova received the Award of the President of Turkmenistan. This gave extra impetus to new achievements. Tamara Mikhailovna, who has been a member of the Union of Artists of Turkmenistan since 1983, participates in every single art exhibition hosted by the Museum of Fine Arts and the capital’s Expo Center. Despite her venerable age, she lives and creates her artworks keeping up with the times.
The artist’s positive and upbeat attitude to everyday life and characters depicted in her paintings is reflected in her paintings: ‘Motherhood’, ‘Spring Arrives’, ‘Folk Melody Passed Down through the Centuries’, and ‘During the Music-Filled Break’.
Tamara Kiselyova creates her paintings when inspiration strikes. Her artworks are simple and sincere. This makes them accessible and appealing to everyone.
Tamara GLAZUNOVA
Photo: Yuri SHKURIN
