"TRADITIONS’ KEEPERS: CERAMICS OF UZBEKISTAN" EXHIBITION CLOSES IN TASHKENT

The Gallery of Fine Arts of Uzbekistan hosted the press-conference and the closing ceremony of the exhibition called “Traditions’ Keepers: Ceramics of Uzbekistan”. The best works of ceramics masters from different regions of the country were presented at the exhibition.

It was said during the press-conference that in Uzbekistan representatives of the traditional types of craft - ceramists have the official status of folk artists. Besides, necessary conditions for economic reconstruction and development of this traditional craft are being created in our country.

As part of the closing ceremony all the masters were awarded diplomas in several categories. Then, potter Alisher Nazirov held “anjuman” ritual in front of the visitors. It is the apprentice initiation into the master.

— The most remarkable event of this exhibition is that Alisher Nazirov - leading master introduced his apprentice Bunyod Yunusov and he became a master. The next year he will exhibit his works with his signature, - says art historian Natalia Musina

15 artists from 5 regions of Uzbekistan presented their works created in the best traditions of the world famous Uzbek ceramic. Historical and ethnic features of each region of Uzbekistan left own marks on the work. Local schools of pottery were formed. They can be still recognized in patterns, compositions, color combinations, technologies. Pottery of Tashkent masters is different from ones from Samarkand and Bukhara, Ferghana Valley craftsmen differ from Khorezm, Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya.

— Each master has its own individual style. Especially it is worth noting Rishtan masters. They recreate the lost traditions and make up palette of Rishtan school. In this case, the works of Rustam Usmanov and Alisher Nazirov recreate traditional decor, which was common at the beginning of the century, - says art historian Lyudmila Kodzaeva.

Rishtan is one of the largest ceramics production centers in Central Asia. Pottery have been existing here for more than 8 centuries. All materials required for the manufacture of ceramic tableware are mined locally. Here, the masters gather special herbs and ash which are the part of famous ishkor glaze. It defines the basic colors of the Rishtan ceramics, which is dominated by a combination of turquoise and ultramarine on blue or white background.

— Colour palette of Rishtan ceramics is blue. Ceramist used ishkor glaze, which gave an amazing bright blue colour. Ornament of Rishtan ceramics is plant. For example, pomegranate - a symbol of fertility, or irises - the symbol of prosperity, peace are commonly used - said a member of the Creative Association of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan, master ceramist Rustam Usmanov.

Ceramics of Gurumsaray school was also presented in the exhibition. Vakhob Buvaev is the only apprentice of the last of the deceased masters of Gurumsaray usto Maksudali Turapov, and he only makes the works. Archaic motives of paintings of massive food of Gurumsaray attracted with amazing depth and richness of the turquoise-blue color.

Gijduvan is the most recognized school of ceramics among the centers of polychrome ceramics. There is only left one dynasty of hereditary ceramists - Narzullaevs. They are the sons of usto Ibodullo Narzullaev, apprentices of the famous master usto Usman Umarov, Alisher and Abdullo Narzullaevs. The works of these acknowledged artists have the richest elaborate patterns, subtlety and elegance of their execution.

Erkin Rakhmatov’s works from Kashkadarya also impressed the visitors. He is an apprentice of the famous Usto Fazila Mirzaev.

The exhibition will also run in the next year.

Jahon Information Agency