The Artist Sleeps: Kazakh Masterpiece Acquired by Center Pompidou
The French National Georges Pompidou Center of Art and Culture has recently acquired the artwork “Artist Sleeps” by Kazakh artists Yelena and Victor Vorobyov. This acquisition was announced by the Ministry of Culture and Information in response to an official inquiry by Kazinform news agency.
The “Artist Sleeps” installation features a bed with a peacefully sleeping human figure, embodying its title literally. It is accompanied by a short text written by Vorobyova in 1995. The installation was first showcased in 1996 at the Soros Center exhibition at the Kazakh Business Club in Almaty and has since been exhibited at various prestigious venues, including the Venice Biennale.
The artwork serves as a metaphor for the mystery of creative origins, reflecting on life and self-irony among artists in the last epoch. It is part of a trend where Western museums frequently acquire works by Kazakh contemporary artists, showcasing the growing international recognition of Kazakh art.
Other Kazakh artists, such as Zoe Falkova, Reshat Kozhamzharov, Almagul Menlibayeva, Yerbossyn Meldibekov, and Alpysbai Kazgulov, have also gained attention and recognition on the international art scene. Their works are held in prestigious institutions and private collections around the world.
The cost of these artworks remains confidential under Kazakhstan’s Law on Personal Data Protection, highlighting the value and significance of Kazakh contemporary art on the global stage.
