Madina Shukurova,
Student of the National
Institute of Arts and Design
The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan has given a lot of attention to the development of science and art, supporting the country’s creative potential. Thus, on the 10th of February 2014 the Cabinet of Ministers issued a Resolution “On measures to strengthen material and technical base of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan”. Pursuant to the Resolution, regional branches of the Academy receive economic and technical support; modern showrooms and artist workshops open, mobile art and photo exhibitions, as well as renowned artists visit remote villages and districts in the provinces.
On the eve of the national holiday, the 23rd anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, an Art Gallery opened in the city of Navoi, in a park named after Alisher Navoi, and the Artists Union of the Academy of Arts held an exhibition called “Men nechun sevaman Uzbekistonni” (“Why I Love Uzbekistan”) that was dedicated to the Healthy Child Year.
This was an important event in the life of the city and its visitors. The Art Gallery opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the province and city administrations, company leadership, artists, creative young people, mass media representatives, and a delegation of artists and sculptors led by Akmal Nuridinov, Chair of the Academy of Arts.
In the Art Gallery, on its premises and beyond ran an exhibition of works by young talents from the Barkamol Avlod provincial young people’s art centre and fine and applied arts studios. Famous masters of painting and ceramics also displayed their works at the exhibition.
Erkinjon Turdimov, the Province Governor, congratulated the convened audience on the Art Gallery opening and thanked the Academy Chair and members of the delegation who arrived from Tashkent to celebrate the event. Addressing the public, the Academy Chair Akmal Nuridinov pointed out that certain progress had already been made towards meeting the objectives formulated in the Resolution to improve operation of regional branches of the Academy. Specifically, the Navoi Province was the first in the country to receive a building for the regional artists union and a specially designed showroom. “…As we dash into the world’s arena, art galleries play a crucial role in preserving and promoting the rich spiritual heritage of the nation. This is the place where exhibitions, meetings and workshops can be organized for the young generation”, Nuridinov remarked.
On its opening day the new Gallery presented more than 30 works by the academics – masters of painting, drawing and sculpture. Among them Alisher Mirzaev, Javlon Umarbekov, Akmal Nur, Yigitali Tursunnazarov, Sobir Rakhmetov, Victoria Troshina, Anvar Mamajanov et al.
Renowned artist, Academician Yigitali Tursunnazarov noted: “This forum is the fruit of independence. We hope that other provincial centres will also have galleries like this one, with halls housing masterpieces wrought by our compatriots. The opening of the gallery is a remarkable happening in the art life of the city. The exposition is going to be regularly renewed and replenished, delighting the audiences and fans of the gifted artists”. The exhibition presented works in different genres: landscapes of the local land, still-life, genre scenes, etc. performed in the realist and avant-garde manner.
Jahangir Mirzaev shared his impressions: “We are proud that our city is one of the first in the country to open an art gallery showing unique artefacts from the past, such as jewel-boxes ornamented with miniature painting, and crockery… It is hard to overestimate the role art plays in man’s spiritual development. Our city compares to a flower bed in the heart of the desert, and now the Gallery is its most beautiful bud.”
Aminjon Kadirov, Chair of the regional artists union of the Academy, said: “The Art Gallery is a precious gift for the entire Navoi Province. More than 100 million soums were expended to build it. Soon it will house a series of solo exhibitions of talented young artists of the province. The Gallery offers new prospects for the conservation and augmentation of the rich national heritage, the development of art, and for organizing cultural, educational and entertaining events.”
On the opening day of the Gallery renowned painters delivered workshops for the enthusiasts of art. The freshly painted works of the famous artists were donated to the Gallery.