For Ashgabat residents, perhaps the most famous work in the work of the People's Artist of Turkmenistan Gylychmyrat Yarmammedov is the sculptural stylisation of the ferula at the central city market «Gulistan». People call this plant the bowl of gazelles. It saves desert dwellers from thirst. This unusual art decor, in addition to being a work of modern art, also has a practical meaning, performing the function of an air vent. Another famous work of Gylychmyrat Mammedovich is the bust of A.S. Pushkin, installed in front of the State Russian Drama Theatre named after A.S. Pushkin. Every Ashgabat resident knows the bas-relief on a residential building, which is located at the intersection of Magtymguly Avenue and Aba Annayev Street, but not everyone knows that the author of this bas-relief is Gylychmyrat Yarmammedov.

We found the artist in his studio while working on a relief sculpture dedicated to Gozli Ata, the founder of the Ata tribe. The artist is preparing this sculpture for the 30^th anniversary of the country's neutrality. According to legend, Gozli Ata studied in a madrasah. One day, his teacher, Hoja Ahmet Yasawy, threw his staff from the roof and gave his students the task of finding it. Only one student completed the task, and after this incident, he was named Gozli, which means «big-eyed». This is how the biography of this man began, shrouded in legends, myths and historical facts.

In the same genre, Gylychmyrat Yarmammedov presented the sculpture «Great Turan, Magtymguly, Turkmenistan» for the 300^th anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi. Almost all of the sculptor's works have a historical subtext.

– I was born in Ashgabat in the family of journalist Mammet Yarmammedov – Gylychmyrat Mammedovich says about himself. – My father graduated from a rural madrasah in Turkmengala, then studied in Bayramaly, popularly called «Kyrk Ishik» («House with 40 Doors»). From 1935, he studied in Moscow. He went through the war, was awarded for the capture of Koenigsberg. In the post-war years, he was invited to work for a newspaper.

An interesting fact: no one from the Yarmammedov family followed in my father’s footsteps, but many showed artistic talent. I was one of the first. After graduating from art school, I was sent to the Moscow Art Institute named after V.I. Surikov. I plunged headlong into the knowledge of Western European culture. Museums and libraries provided such an opportunity. The works of great masters of sculpture delighted. But soon these feelings were replaced by nostalgia. A transformation took place in my head - with the same admiration I began to study the Turkic culture, immersing myself in reading ancient historical books, in which sometimes myths and legends went side by side with historical facts.

During the Soviet era, the theme of the working man was actively cultivated. And Gylychmyrat Yarmammedov created beautiful, courageous people who were selflessly committed to their duty. In this regard, his business trips to the sulfur mining plant in Govurdak, as well as to the sulfate plant in Bekdash, were unforgettable. And, of course, the work of cotton growers was reflected in Yarmammedov's work. For many lovers of sculptural art, the name of Gylychmyrat Yarmammedov is involuntarily associated with such works.

But at a personal exhibition in honour of his 80^th birthday, Gylychmyrat Yarmammedov surprised many: the hero of the day displayed a huge exposition of historical sculptures, created by him at the behest of his heart. Myths and legends came to life in it. The sculptor turned into a storyteller of the ancient history and culture of his people.

Gylychmyrat Yarmammedov shares his worldview and work experience primarily with the younger generation of Yarmammedov sculptors. His son, sculptor Seljuk Yarmammedov, is working in the studio next to his father. Like his father, he is a graduate of the Moscow Art Institute named after V.I. Surikov. Moreover, Gylychmyrat Yarmammedov's grandson Togrul is currently on vacation; he will graduate from the Surikov Institute in 2026. Ynanch, the son of Shamyrat Yarmammedov's brother, graduated from the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan several years ago. Togrul spends all his free time with Ynanch - the young artists from the Yarmammedov dynasty of sculptors have a lot to talk about.

On the eve of the upcoming state event - the 30^th anniversary of the country's neutrality, each sculptor with the surname Yarmammedov is preparing a creative gift for his Fatherland.