Uzbekistan designers to participate in London Design Biennale

Alsou Akhmetzyanova, assistant curator of the Uzbekistan pavilion, spoke about the significance of the upcoming event.

– The fifth London Design Biennale will run for three weeks. Designers from Uzbekistan will present a national pavilion titled “The Once and Future Garden”, showcasing the works of Madina Kasimbaeva, Tigran Erdman, Timur Parmanov, Nigora Khashimova, and other authors.

For example, Madina Kasimbaeva founded her studio, Suzani by Kasimbaeva, in 2006. Her products, adorned with her famous embroidery, have been exhibited at international shows and are part of the permanent collection at the British Museum. Nigora Khashimova launched her eponymous fashion brand in 2013. Her vivid designs have graced shows in Moscow and Milan. Tigran Erdman and Timur Parmanov are innovators in furniture design, widely recognized abroad.

The Uzbekistan pavilion is inspired by the gardens of Samarkand from the time of Amir Temur – places filled with beauty, craftsmanship, and symbolism. The exhibition is housed in an octagonal structure reminiscent of Timurid-era architecture.

One of the concept’s co-creators is renowned glass artist Ruth Shelley. In 2023, she traveled from the United Kingdom to Uzbekistan to meet artisans nationwide. This journey inspired her to create a series of glass vessels referencing the carpet patterns depicted in miniatures from the Timurid period. This fact is a vivid example of how Uzbek motifs resonate in the works of globally recognized artists.

The biennale will take place at the historic Somerset House – one of London’s most significant cultural centers. The event is expected to attract more than 40,000 visitors. Alongside Uzbekistan, renowned designers will present pavilions from Argentina, Azerbaijan, Chile, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and other countries.

Earlier, it was reported that young Kazakhstani designer have taken London fashion scene by storm.