Empowering Femininity: Central Asian Artists Shine in New York Exhibition
Artists Altynai Osmo from the Kyrgyz Republic and Aya Shalkar from Kazakhstan are currently showcasing their joint exhibition titled “Beneath the Earth and Above the Clouds” at Sapar Contemporary in New York. This unique exhibition delves into themes of identity, femininity, and gender roles through the lens of mythology, tradition, and spiritual symbolism, and will be on display until May 15.
The collection features a mix of two- and three-dimensional works that re-imagine the roles of women in nomadic societies and spiritual cosmology. It presents female figures as both historical and mythical heroines who have shaped the cultural and moral landscape of the region.
Osmo and Shalkar’s works pay tribute to tradition and heritage while capturing the multifaceted and intricate roles that women occupy in Central Asian societies, from their roles within tribes to their divine representations. The artists position the female experience at the crossroads of history, mythology, tradition, and spirituality.
Shalkar’s contributions to the exhibition include pieces like “The World of Peri,” which envisions a matriarchal civilization, and “Mergen,” an immersive installation centered around the burial site of a female centaur warrior. Drawing inspiration from Kazakh cultural symbols and personal memories, the installation features symbolic objects like a silver spine, an engraved archer’s ring, and celestial iron arrowheads.
On the other hand, Osmo presents “Kyrk Kyz,” a series of four hand-made masks crafted from felt, cupro-nickel, and zircon, embroidered with traditional shyryk patterns. This series is inspired by the legend of 40 warrior maidens who defended their homeland near Samarkand. Additionally, Osmo features “Umai Ene,” a sculptural homage to Umai, the ancient Turkic goddess of fertility and motherhood, emphasizing the feminine energy within Tengrism.
Both artists, deeply rooted in their Central Asian backgrounds, blend ancestral narratives with modern feminist perspectives. According to Rachel Parikh, curator of the Dallas Museum of Art, the exhibition provides an “anthropological perspective on Central Asian female identity across earthly, divine, and spiritual realms.”
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the captivating works of Altynai Osmo and Aya Shalkar at Sapar Contemporary in New York before the exhibition concludes on May 15.
