The Shakhty Quartet opened its exhibition at the regional Museum of Fine Arts (76 Bukhar Zhyrau Ave.), which will last until December 3. The works presented by four Shakhty authors – Zhanabek Zhumabekov, Elena Nividenskaya, Ersin Temirgaliev and Natalya Saygusheva – were made in different genres and techniques: there is something to see here, the ekaraganda.kz correspondent reports. Let us recall that all the authors of the Shakhty Quartet were introduced and united by their work at the Shakhty Children’s Art School named after A. Ismailov. Two years ago, the quartet already exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts, and then in the satellite cities of Karaganda. The new exhibition presents more than fifty works in the techniques of painting, graphics, decorative and applied arts. Zhanabek Zhumabekov presented portraits: his works reveal the character of adults and children, conveying the individual characteristics of faces, movements, and gestures. In addition, the artist has developed a unique proprietary graphic technique using silicone: it combines traditional principles of drawing and painting with the use of an unusual material. Silicone, thanks to its texture and flexibility, allows you to create relief images – they can be either thin and detailed, or expressive and textured. It is interesting to study a series of his works in this design - the eye invariably stops at the details. Elena Nividenskaya works in the traditional felting technique, creating picturesque paintings, and also experiments with modern trends in nunofelting. The exhibition features many of her felt works – and they reflect both life and fantasy scenes, which combine elements of painting and textile art. Elena creates both large-scale canvases and small compositions that convey the atmosphere of nature, animals and people, using natural wool and various felting methods, including wet felting. Ersin Temirgaliev, like last time, exhibits works of different directions: this is sculpture, both painting and graphics. He has laconic graphic images, a precise line of strokes, and contrasting tones are adjacent to paintings filled with bright and rich color transitions. Natalya Saygusheva is faithful to her favorite genre – landscape, reflecting the beauty of nature at different times of the year, but at the exhibition among her works is not represented only landscape. In the museum hall you can admire graphic sheets: these works were made using ink and pastels. The artist also painted a portrait of autumn – a bright lady decorated with golden leaves, and also presented large-scale works in the batik technique. Over the course of two years, changes have occurred in the lives of the quartet members, teachers of the Shakhty Children’s Art School named after A. Ismailov. Elena Nividenskaya is now the head of the school, Natalya Saygusheva and Ersin Temirgaliev have become employees of the administration, and Zhanabek Zhumabekov still remains a teacher, but has changed the direction of his work – at the exhibition, in addition to works in the author’s technique, his landscapes in oil are presented. Works for the new exhibition, she specified Natalya Saygusheva, were chosen from among those that had not yet been exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts and were created in recent years, after the first exposition. And recently the authors had a creative trip. “In October of this year we visited the Pavlodar Museum, also with our quartet exhibition. We were greeted very warmly, there were colleagues from the city art school, our works found a response, and this is very pleasant. And we met through plein airs: Ersin and Zhanabek are participants in such trips, and at the plein air “Bayanaul Palette” we met colleagues from other regions. The management of the Pavlodar Museum became interested and invited us to exhibit our works,” shared Natalya Saygusheva. In the meantime, after the exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, the quartet plans to go to Kokshetau – already at the beginning of 2025 – to also demonstrate their works there. In addition, at the opening of the current exhibition, the artists were asked to organize their own personal ones, so that everyone could get acquainted with the work of each in more detail. Art critic Larisa Zolotareva also attended the opening: she spoke separately about each author. He follows the work of the quartet – at least because all four of them at one time graduated from the E.A. Karaganda University. Buketova supports everyone. Larisa Zolotareva noted the technique of working with felt by Elena Nividenskaya, described Natalya Saygusheva as a lyricist, and spoke warmly about the creative search of Ersin Temirgaliev and Zhanabek Zhumabekov. The price of an entrance ticket to the museum is from 100 to 500 tenge. On weekdays the museum is open from 10.00 to 18.00, on weekends – from 10.00 to 17.00. Photo by the author Photo by Elena Kondratyeva Photo from the personal archive of the quartet members
How does the Shakhty Children’s Art School foster collaboration among young artists?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Elena Nividenskaya, Head of the Shakhty Children’s Art School
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Elena. Thank you for joining us today! I’m excited to discuss the Shakhty Quartet’s exhibition at the regional Museum of Fine Arts. It not only showcases your individual talents but also the spirit of collaboration among the artists. Could you tell us what it means to exhibit together again after two years?
Elena Nividenskaya: Good afternoon! Thank you for having me. Exhibiting together as the Shakhty Quartet feels like a homecoming. The bond we share through our time at the Shakhty Children’s Art School really shines through in our work. We inspire and challenge each other, and seeing our diverse styles displayed side by side is incredibly enriching, both for us and for the audience.
Time.news Editor: That sense of community is remarkable. Each of you has a unique artistic style. I’m particularly intrigued by your work in nunofelting. Can you shed light on the themes you explore in your felt paintings?
Elena Nividenskaya: Absolutely! My pieces often delve into the intersection of reality and fantasy. I love to portray nature, animals, and humankind, blending vibrant colors and textures. The joy of felting is that it allows me to capture the essence of these themes in a way that’s tactile and visually evocative. I aim to transport viewers into a world where they can lose themselves in the textures and depth of my work.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a beautiful experience for the viewer. Now, let’s talk about your fellow artists in the quartet. Each artist has explored different genres and techniques in this exhibition. Can you share a bit about how your work interacts with theirs?
Elena Nividenskaya: Each artist brings their distinct voice to the quartet. For instance, Zhanabek Zhumabekov’s unique approach using silicone in his portraits contrasts wonderfully with my felted landscapes. His ability to convey character through facial expressions is truly captivating. Meanwhile, Ersin Temirgaliev’s bright, colorful paintings add a dynamic feel, and Natalya Saygusheva’s landscapes capture the beauty of nature in a completely different light. Together, we create a rich tapestry that reflects various art forms and perspectives.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned that you had a creative trip to the Pavlodar Museum recently. How did that influence your work for the exhibition?
Elena Nividenskaya: Our trip was incredibly inspiring! We immersed ourselves in the local art scene and landscapes, which sparked fresh ideas for my felting work. The experience of witnessing new artistic expressions and interacting with other artists reignited my passion and creativity. It’s fascinating how exchanging ideas with others can lead to innovation in our own crafts.
Time.news Editor: That sounds invigorating! Now, as the newly appointed head of the Shakhty Children’s Art School, how do you feel your role has evolved in the last two years, especially within this collaborative framework?
Elena Nividenskaya: It’s an exciting transition! As head of the school, I now have the opportunity to foster a nurturing environment for young artists. My goal is to embrace collaboration, not just among established artists but also with the students. I believe that when they see artists like the Quartet working together, it demonstrates the power of community in art. It’s my responsibility to inspire the next generation to explore their potential while learning from one another.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, fostering collaboration among students is crucial for their growth. What is your hope for the audience who visits this exhibition?
Elena Nividenskaya: I hope they leave with a sense of wonder and connection to the artwork. Art has the power to evoke emotions and tell stories. I’d love for viewers to see how each piece is a reflection of our experiences and creativity. My wish is that they feel inspired to appreciate art in all its forms and perhaps even explore their artistic journeys.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Elena, for sharing your insights with us. The exhibition sounds like a wonderful celebration of creativity and community.
Elena Nividenskaya: Thank you! I hope you can visit and experience it for yourself. We’re excited to welcome everyone to the museum until December 3rd!