Kazakh artist showcases ‘The Spirit of the Steppe’ exhibition in Italy
Kazakh artist Aruhan (Gaukhar Bissengaliyeva) has unveiled her solo exhibition The Spirit of the Steppe in southern Italy, bringing Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage to a European audience, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
The exhibition opened at the historic Palazzo Marchesale in Santeramo in Colle, located in Italy’s Apulia region. It was included in the official program of the Festa Patronale di Sant’Erasmo, one of the city’s most significant annual cultural celebrations. The project was organized by the Municipality of Santeramo in Colle and the cultural association Pro Loco “G. Tritto”.
According to organizers, the exhibition marks a notable milestone in cultural relations between Kazakhstan and Italy. Aruhan became the first Kazakh artist to present a large-scale solo project in Apulia dedicated to the culture of the Great Steppe, Kazakh traditions, and contemporary interpretations of nomadic heritage.
The opening ceremony was attended by Mayor Vincenzo Casone, municipal officials, artists, researchers, cultural representatives, and local residents.
In a post on Facebook, Mayor Casone highlighted the role of culture in fostering international connections, describing openness, dialogue, and hospitality as key goals of public engagement.
The exhibition combines contemporary art, traditional craftsmanship, archival materials, and personal storytelling. Its central themes include the philosophy of the Great Steppe, cultural memory, and national identity.
At the heart of the project are felt artworks created using the traditional wet felting technique. Drawing on a material closely associated with nomadic civilization, Aruhan uses felt as a medium for exploring both historical heritage and contemporary artistic expression.
A major component of the exhibition was developed in collaboration with the Central State Archive of Film, Photo Documents and Sound Recordings of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Visitors can view rare archival photographs dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that document traditional felt-making, nomadic life, and the cultural heritage of the Kazakh steppe.
The exhibition also features a photo installation and the documentary film Heritage of the Great Steppe, produced by the artist using archival materials.
As part of the official program, Aruhan met with representatives of the Giovanni Colonna Municipal Library and donated several artworks to the institution as a gesture of cultural exchange and friendship between Kazakhstan and Italy.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency offered a glimpse into how contemporary Kazakh art engages with memory, tradition, and the steppe.
