Alisher Alikulov entered the world of painting art in the 90s of the last century. At that time was formed a core of his creative work – historical and war themes. Independence of Uzbekistan became an important impulse for the activity of the young artist. National history, traditions of rich spiritual and material culture play important role in his art.
A graduator of the Faculty of Monumental Painting of the National Institute of Art and Design named after K. Behzad (1995), the artist had reached recognition for a short period. Alisher prefers multi-figured compositions, realistic method of life reflection. Precise details, attention to subjects and true picture of historical events determine specific features of his style. A.Alikulov participated in many republican and foreign art exhibitions. In 1996, for the serial of historical works on the epoch of Amir Temur and the Temurids he was awarded the medal “Shukhrat”; in 2001 – the Gold medal of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan.
In monumental paintings of “Shokhona ov” (“Royal Hunting”) (1995), “Sport Games of Ancient Bactria” (1996), “Great Thinkers”, “National Revolt and Movement of Djadids” (2000) and “Amir Temur in the World History” (2001) made in a genre of miniature, he poetized rich cultural and historical values of our people.
The work “Royal Hunting” became a debut of the young artist. A. Alikulov, following the method of his teacher, B. Djalalov, jointly with the artists – A. Agakhanyan, B. Olimkhonov, Sh. Bakhriddinov, M. Azlarkhodjaev- tried to find new approaches to the solution of multi-figured panel. In the scene of hunting, he paid attention to maximum dynamics of the composition and expressiveness of actions. Professionalism of the artist revealed in plastically expressive bodies and colour harmony of the composition in a whole. A method of art solution draws the attention of spectators – conventionality and bright colours cause direct associations with miniatures.
Monumental painting “Sport Games of Ancient Bactria” in the Museum of Olympic Victories proves that the artist permanently searches for creative means. Sport is a messenger of Peace. Rapprochement of the peoples and nations, century old traditions and spiritual values determine a content of this work. In the magnificent panel, the personages of archers, fighters and horsemen are transmitting pages of history and culture of Bactria. Each detail of the composition is maximum realistic. Costumes, different ornamental patterns in a style of this or that epoch give evidence for serious stylistic searches.
Art methods of wall painting “Fairytales of the Peoples of the World” (1996) in the interior of the Theatre of Young Spectators is laconic and rich in colour. Solution of fairy heroes considers the age of children. The subject of the wall painting is maximum rich; pictures of landscape add it. The artist effectively used some architectural elements of the interior, for example, including entry doors in the composition.
The wall painting “Undersea World” (1997 – 98) in the Tashkent Zoo narrates about the undersea kingdom. Subjects are enriched with fairy-allegoric characters; the artist had reached natural balance of composition, colour and style. The wall painting “Great Ancestors” in general characters presents spiritual heritage of our people. Imam Bukhari, Imam Termezi, Beruny, Avicenna, Amir Temur, Mirzo Ulugbeg, Zahiraddin Babur and the other our great ancestors did great contribution into development of national culture and became a pride of the nation. Their names and contribution into progress of world civilization are known all over the world. The composition bases on the motif of the Great Silk Road. Architectural monuments of ancient Samarkand and Bukhara give the perfection to the collage work. One of the works created for the Museum of History of the Peoples of Uzbekistan, the group of A. Alikulov called “National Revolt and Movement of Djadids”. Dramatic historical events of the beginning of the XX c. became a subject for this work. In general, the picture looks as integral section in the interior of the museum. The next work of the artist – the wall painting “Amir Temur in the World History” (2001). It decorates the hall of Amir Temur in the Museum of History of the Peoples of Uzbekistan. Amir Temur on a horse occupies the center of the composition. The work is specified with precise art solution, rich colour and interesting subject. The appearance of Amir Temur and historical events related to his epoch are expressively reflected in harmony of cold and warm colours and by means of light graphic hatches.
A. Alikulov, in all his monumental and applied art works, tries to expose heart world and psychological motions of his characters. Such pictures as “Victory of Amir Temur over Tokhtamish” (1996), “Fighting for Banner” (1996) and “Attack on the Citadel” (1999) draw attention from this point of view. At the same time, the artist strives to give maximum realistic picture of the event. In the wall-paintings “For Motherland” (1999 – 2000), “Break” (Fight of Dj. Manguberdi and Chinggis-khan) (2001), the artist realistically and in details exposed a battlefield – smoke, dust, winds and cheerless landscape. Deeply feeling the historical events, he strives to attach to the characters the features of humanism, sel-denial, patriotism and gives them individual portrait images. Use of cold and warm colours in the portrait of “Mukhammad Sulton” (1998) gave the opportunity to expose the heart world of this character. Like the other pictures, the artist skillfully used ethnographic motifs, details and elements of traditional lifestyle. In the pictures “Samarkand Market” (1996), “Musicians” (1997) and “Talk” (1997) the everyday life is exposed through the oriental local colour and type of the people.
The artist says that the art is self-sacrifice. And self-sacrifice should aim to the kind matters. The artist in his searches tries to realize the essence of miniature art and use it for painting of historical events preserving style and methods of classic traditions, continuing the local traditions. The creative work of Alisher Alikulav is a bright evidence for important and complicated processes running today in monumental and applied painting art.
Author: Saida Ilkhomova