The Museum of Fine Arts is currently running a solo exhibition of works by Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Khojagulyev, who is celebrating his 65th birthday.His painting Anau’ is well known to art enthusiasts, and is often on exhibit.
The landscape artist merges the past and present of the land regarded as one of the ancient agricultural cradles, and uses the metaphor of an eared wheat field lit up by rays of sunlight piercing through the clouds to represent historical continuity.
One of the painter’s latest work, Spring in the Kopetdag’, which is still on an easel, also abounds in meaningful subtexts.It depicts the massive mountain range ablaze with astonishing spring colors.
It is partly reminiscent of a giant sea wave, and partly of the Milky Way.The ridge fancifully splashed with ruby-colored poppies goes beyond the horizon.A native of Geoktepe etrap, Gurbanguly Khojagulyev felt like a true artist at an Art lesson in grade four, when students were offered to come up with their own topic and draw whatever they wanted.
With their drawing books in their hands, Gurbanguly’s classmates encircled him, and he had to draw instead of them: a cow, cat, dog, trees, plants in pots, a schoolyard...
When the Art teacher saw the young boy’s works, he gave a laugh and asked, Who is this Shishkin-Levitan (I.Shishkin and I.Levitan were renowned Russian painters) in our class?
Khojagulyev?You are very likely to become an artist!’ After school, Gurbanguly Khojagulyev entered an art school.He was very lucky to have been taught by People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Khaji Atakov, who was always very tactful and laconic, when assessing his students’ works.
Looking at a sketch or painting, he said only two words: either yes’ in approval or no’ as a negative answer.The pupil and his mentor stayed in close touch for many years, and every time, showing his new work to his teacher, Gurbanguly waited for his brief verdict with a sinking heart.
As years went by, the artist heard an eagerly-anticipated yes’ more and more often.Artists tend to change their preferences trying their hand at something new.Gurbanguly Khojagulyev was keen on relief painting: like a sculptor sculpting landscape paintings with ...
paint, and then turned to tapestry painting.The exhibition features several works in this style: Spring Melody’, Pomegranate Tree’, Paired Pomegranates’, among others.His favorite color is green.
He loves spring.Evenings are his favorite part of the day.The vibrant and intense colors of the celebrated artist’s landscape paintings created a poetic atmosphere in the exhibition hall.
The mountain river Sekizyab with a series of waterfalls and its scenic valley are the natural landmarks that give creative inspiration to Khojagulyev.The artist’s The Source of the Sekizyab’ demonstrates his love for his home country’s nature.
The river’s mirror-smooth surface surrounded by emerald-green grass and shrubs evokes a sense of peace and tranquility.There is a personal reason why Gurbanguly Khojagulyev has deep reverence for the mountain river - his daughter’s recovery from her illness is closely associated with the place.
Still Life with Melon’ seems to invite viewers to taste juicy slices of the honey-sweet fruit.It is the first painting produced by the artist after graduating from the art school, and that is why he holds it so dear.
Next in line is Chopan’s Tea’ (Shepherd’s Tea), which sparks memories of the stories told by aksakals (white-bearded elders) over a cup of aromatic tea brewed in a tunche (a high cylinder-shaped metal vessel with a handle) over an open flame.
During a conversation, the landscape artist unveiled his plans for a series of paintings devoted to the Karakum Desert.We hope that these works in gold and ochre hues will reveal yet another side of his outstanding talent.