New York, April 3 – May 15, 2025
At Sapar Contemporary, Altynai Osmo (Kyrgyzstan) and Aya Shalkar (Kazakhstan) present a joint exhibition that explores femininity, mythology, and identity through the lens of Central Asian heritage.
Two Artists, One Powerful Narrative
In Beneath the Earth and Above the Clouds, Osmo and Shalkar draw on traditional narratives, mythologies, and ancient belief systems to portray multifaceted images of womanhood. With a focus on the spiritual and cultural roles of women in their societies—past and present—they use diverse media to honor and reimagine female identity.
Altynai Osmo: Ancestral Echoes and Divine Power
Osmo’s works are deeply rooted in Kyrgyz nomadic traditions. In her series Kyrk Kyz (“Forty Girls”), she brings to life a legendary group of warrior women who defended their homeland. Each handcrafted mask reflects strength, resilience, and the enduring legacy of female leadership in Kyrgyz culture.
In Umai Ene, Osmo turns to the divine. She explores the role of the goddess Umai—protector of fertility and motherhood—in the ancient animist belief system of Tengrism. Her sculptural interpretations, adorned with lapis lazuli, zircon, and nickel, evoke a cosmos where the feminine is essential for the universe’s balance and existence.
Aya Shalkar: Unearthing the Feminist Past
In The World of Peri, Aya Shalkar constructs an alternate history: one where women ruled the Eurasian steppes. Her fictional archaeology imagines the tomb of Mergen, a female centaur-warrior. Surrounding the centerpiece—a silver spinal column—are artifacts that fuse myth with historical symbolism: hunting knives, a braided tail, an archer’s ring inscribed in Peri runes.
Every object is a meditation on strength, trauma, beauty, and power. Drawing from traditional Kazakh culture and collaborating with local artisans, Shalkar constructs a mythic legacy that challenges Kazakhstan’s patriarchal past and present.
More Than Myth: A Call for Reclamation
Both artists reclaim female strength and visibility in a region where women’s voices are often marginalized. Their works are not only tributes to their ancestors—they are statements of resistance and hope. Through myth, history, and material culture, Osmo and Shalkar revive hidden stories and offer visions for a more just and empowered future.
Conclusion: A Feminine Echo from Central Asia
Beneath the Earth and Above the Clouds is more than an exhibition—it is a cultural echo that gives space to long-overlooked voices. Anyone interested in feminist art, cultural identity, and contemporary narratives should not miss this powerful show in New York.