ASTANA – Turkish artists Taner Alakuş and Yasemin Akyol presented their works at the “IZLEK” exhibition showcasing traditional miniature art through contemporary interpretations at the OzgeEpic center on Nov. 5 in Astana.
Photo credit: Fatima Kemelova/ The Astana Times
Supported by the Embassy of Türkiye in Kazakhstan, the exhibition highlights shared cultural heritage and the art’s role in bringing people and cultures closer.
Turkish artists Taner Alakuş and Yasemin Akyol. Photo credit: Embassy of Türkiye in Kazakhstan
The exhibition’s title, “IZLEK,” carries a special meaning for the artists. Akyol explained that the word has literary associations, and refers to a central theme. In contrast, its resemblance to the Kazakh word for “trace” inspired the artists to explore cultural connections through their work in Kazakhstan.
“We wanted to find our traces here by coming here,” she told The Astana Times, describing the exhibition as part of their shared artistic journey.
For Akyol, art is also a way to bring warmth and positive emotions to audiences. She said she incorporates humor and playful details into her works to make people smile and encourage their interest in art.
“Life is very difficult and exhausting. We want people to feel happy through the beauty of art. It is a way of sharing,” she said.
Preserving traditions through contemporary art
Alakuş, a Turkish miniature artist and academic who founded the Taner Alakuş Miniature Art Workshop in Istanbul, has practiced miniature art since 1983. He has created around 400 works, which have been exhibited in Türkiye, France, South Korea, China, Russia and other countries.
Photo credit: Fatima Kemelova/ The Astana Times
His work combines traditional techniques with contemporary artistic approaches.
“My intention has always been clear: to take our lines, our colors and every stroke we put on paper beyond these boundaries and bring them together in a universal language,” Alakuş said at the exhibition opening.
Both artists also emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural identity amid rapidly changing trends. Akyol noted that younger generations may have different interests and perspectives, but should remain connected to their cultural roots.
She pointed to similarities between Kazakh and Turkish traditions, including respect for ancestors, family values and food culture, saying these shared elements could help younger audiences connect with traditional art. She also stressed that introducing young people to traditional art requires access to education, training opportunities and support for emerging artists.
Art as a bridge between cultures
The artists see the exhibition as an opportunity to strengthen ties between the artistic communities of Kazakhstan and Türkiye.
Alakuş described art as a universal language that brings people together and expressed hope for further cooperation, including joint exhibitions with Kazakh artists.
Photo credit: Fatima Kemelova/ The Astana Times
“I believe this should be a first step. In the future, we could organize joint exhibitions with Kazakh artists and strengthen our exchange of ideas and culture,” he said.
Mustafa Kapucu, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, said the countries’ shared cultural heritage provides a foundation for closer artistic ties.
“Türkiye and Kazakhstan have very similar classical cultures and artistic traditions. At the same time, both countries have made significant progress in contemporary art,” he told The Astana Times .
Kapucu emphasized that cooperation should extend beyond relations between governments to direct connections between people through culture, tourism and education.
“Direct contacts like this exhibition help strengthen relations between our peoples. This, in turn, also contributes to our political relations and ties between our states,” he said.
The “IZLEK” exhibition reflects how traditional art can serve as a shared language, bringing together artists and audiences while creating opportunities for further cultural exchange between Kazakhstan and Türkiye.
The exhibition will remain open to visitors until Nov. 30.
