First personal exhibition of sculptures of honorable member of the Union of Artists of Turkmenistan Erdem Tzybikzhabov was opened at the Fine Arts Museum.
Many people know him as cultural adviser of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan, who takes an active part in the cultural actions, taking place in the capital of our country. Now, it was unexpectedly opened a new image of Erdem. He appeared as wonderful sculptor.
- Erdem Tzybikzhabov tells: “Everything started in 2009, when it was announced about organization of the international exhibition of fine arts in the Ashgabat Exhibition Center. Knowing about my ardor for sculpture and much time in the studio, the employees of the embassy advised me to exhibit my amateur works. Then, the People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Saragt Babayev came to our exhibition hall. He examined long and attentively the exhibits, and finally asked: “Where did you learn it?” I frankly answered: “Nowhere”…
It is noteworthy that after this exhibition, which became a turning in my fate, the Turkmen artists admitted me to membership of the Union of Artists of Turkmenistan already in a year.
- Why are you engaged in sculpture?
I was born and grew up in Transbaikalia – the land with amazingly rich nature and ancient culture. My mother was skillful embroideress, and father – experienced joiner and carpenter. People say about such persons: “Master-magical hands”. Father often took me to his work. From childhood, I liked the smell of sawdust and already that time, I tried to turn the figures of birds and animals from small piece of wood. So, it became my artistic education – mother and father, picturesque taiga and Buddhist postulates I was brought up in. I always dreamed to become the artist, but life circumstances always pushed the art into background.
- Exhibits presented by you at the current exhibition were made from different materials: gypsum, metal, wood, stone and bone. Each of them has particular technology of treatment. How could you mater new skills within such short period?
- I learnt much from the Turkmen artists and something I derived from Internet. Others were thought up by method of trials and mistakes. In studio, where I work, the doors are always open hospitably for my friends in Ashgabat – artists, sculptors, and creative communication with them help me fill the blank spots in my artistic education.
- Erdem, tell us in detail about one of your sculptures…
- For example, a huge felling of tree with woman’s face attracts the attention of many visitors. The production is called “Mother”… I proceeded from the fact that there is something close to maternity in the life of a tree. It fruits, endows people around and gives comfort with its warmth. At times, it burns to the grounding, having fully devoted itself. Only mothers, who disinterestedly and extremely love their child, have the strength to do it. I devoted this production to my mother, having tried to reflect in it her features that are dear for me.
Some people wonder at women’s statuettes, which at first sight, have no compliance with “usual” canons of women’s beauty. The fact is that my people have wonderful popular belief. According to it, men come from the Earth and women – from the Space. “Celestial” women really differ a little from terrestrial but it is only allegoric differences. In other respects, they are also beautiful.
- In one of the sculptural compositions – “Spirit of man”, we see the horse, galloping over the tree. Wherefrom such strange name?
- Not every horse is able to jump over the tree as not every man can do great deeds. Strong, brawny and enduring horse is the spirit of man, overcoming any difficulties on his way. Owner of such spirit is uncommon individual, leaving unfading trace in the history of humanity.
- We wish you further successes in creativity, new personal exhibitions and inspiration.
Many people know him as cultural adviser of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan, who takes an active part in the cultural actions, taking place in the capital of our country. Now, it was unexpectedly opened a new image of Erdem. He appeared as wonderful sculptor.
- Erdem Tzybikzhabov tells: “Everything started in 2009, when it was announced about organization of the international exhibition of fine arts in the Ashgabat Exhibition Center. Knowing about my ardor for sculpture and much time in the studio, the employees of the embassy advised me to exhibit my amateur works. Then, the People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Saragt Babayev came to our exhibition hall. He examined long and attentively the exhibits, and finally asked: “Where did you learn it?” I frankly answered: “Nowhere”…
It is noteworthy that after this exhibition, which became a turning in my fate, the Turkmen artists admitted me to membership of the Union of Artists of Turkmenistan already in a year.
- Why are you engaged in sculpture?
I was born and grew up in Transbaikalia – the land with amazingly rich nature and ancient culture. My mother was skillful embroideress, and father – experienced joiner and carpenter. People say about such persons: “Master-magical hands”. Father often took me to his work. From childhood, I liked the smell of sawdust and already that time, I tried to turn the figures of birds and animals from small piece of wood. So, it became my artistic education – mother and father, picturesque taiga and Buddhist postulates I was brought up in. I always dreamed to become the artist, but life circumstances always pushed the art into background.
- Exhibits presented by you at the current exhibition were made from different materials: gypsum, metal, wood, stone and bone. Each of them has particular technology of treatment. How could you mater new skills within such short period?
- I learnt much from the Turkmen artists and something I derived from Internet. Others were thought up by method of trials and mistakes. In studio, where I work, the doors are always open hospitably for my friends in Ashgabat – artists, sculptors, and creative communication with them help me fill the blank spots in my artistic education.
- Erdem, tell us in detail about one of your sculptures…
- For example, a huge felling of tree with woman’s face attracts the attention of many visitors. The production is called “Mother”… I proceeded from the fact that there is something close to maternity in the life of a tree. It fruits, endows people around and gives comfort with its warmth. At times, it burns to the grounding, having fully devoted itself. Only mothers, who disinterestedly and extremely love their child, have the strength to do it. I devoted this production to my mother, having tried to reflect in it her features that are dear for me.
Some people wonder at women’s statuettes, which at first sight, have no compliance with “usual” canons of women’s beauty. The fact is that my people have wonderful popular belief. According to it, men come from the Earth and women – from the Space. “Celestial” women really differ a little from terrestrial but it is only allegoric differences. In other respects, they are also beautiful.
- In one of the sculptural compositions – “Spirit of man”, we see the horse, galloping over the tree. Wherefrom such strange name?
- Not every horse is able to jump over the tree as not every man can do great deeds. Strong, brawny and enduring horse is the spirit of man, overcoming any difficulties on his way. Owner of such spirit is uncommon individual, leaving unfading trace in the history of humanity.
- We wish you further successes in creativity, new personal exhibitions and inspiration.
