Women in Central Asian Art

With their intricate knowledge of traditions and craft, women stand at the forefront of contemporary Kazakhstan, preserving the collective consciousness and rebirthing long-forgotten traditions. By shifting away from the Western gaze, we can acknowledge the essential role that women have played and continue to play in redefining and shaping Kazakh culture. Further still, we might begin to address the lack of representation of Central Asian women artists in the Western World and use our complex vision of culture as a starting point for a global perspective and scene.

Contemporary art only started forming in Kazakhstan at the beginning of the 90s, beginning with the first artistic movement “Nomadic Romanticism”. Until today, it has seen rapid growth that our lecturers Amina Nugumanova and Elmira Ismukhamedova find thrilling and exciting to be a part of. Against the backdrop of current social, ecological and political issues, the decolonisation process has become a central theme for many Kazakh artists.

This class will introduce participants to the current formation of the contemporary art scene in Kazakhstan and how the lecturers position themselves within it. Drawing on their personal experience of discovering their voices as Kazakh women in the Western world, unpacking the complexities of being simultaneously inside and outside of the scene, whilst reflecting on where their work and the work of surrounding female Kazakh artists might take them.

We are committed to making our sessions as accessible as possible. If you are unable to pay the full amount for this class, please reach out to us via email at [email protected] and we will provide you with a discount code.