ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Uliya Moldagali presented new works including paintings inspired by family and the four elements at the 21st Aru-Astana international jewellery exhibition from Nov. 7-10 in Astana’s Korme Exhibition Hall.
Moldagali’s new work is combined in the exposition, “Charm of the four elements.” It reflects a change in subject and tone for the artist: fish and turtles, butterflies and flowers, trees and a radiant sun appear in her new work, as well as soft, gentle, feminine silhouettes. The titles of the works match their images: “Moments of Summer,” “Magic Fall,” “Charm of the Sea,” “Eden,” “Sunny Nights.”
Moldagali has said that this collection was inspired by the joyful news that her brother’s family was expecting the birth of a child. The large figures, matte shades and different textures of her paintings, which combine leather, satin, felt and beads, make them something that would seem to appeal to children. Moldagali’s work is decorative and theatrical, evoking a carnival. She rose to fame with her clothing collections “Turkic gladiators” and “Princess Turandot,” which used bright colours, many shades of gold, rich fabrics and elegant silhouettes. Her paintings are as luxurious as her clothes, and she continues the relief painting tradition of well-known Kazakh master Amandos Akanayev.
Moldagali is experimental, but also strongly national, using Kazakh traditions and images in new and unusual ways. In her first collections of costumes and paintings, she used elements of medieval vestments of nomads and warriors and female characters: beautiful, bold and unassailable. Moldagali paints and designs clothing and jewellery and has taken part in national and international exhibitions.
