Turmush — In 1992, a calendar depicting the pride of the Kyrgyz people, the star of the Kyrgyz theater and cinema, emerging once in a century Tattybubu Tursunbaevawas in almost every home.
Correspondent Turmush I talked with the artist Konushbek Moldogaziev, who created this painting.
The artist, designer and illustrator was born on August 2, 1959 in the village of Baltabay, Jeti-Oguz region.
Even at school, his talent for drawing was noticeable. Since his mother and maternal grandmother were creative people, his talent could have been passed on to him from them.
After school he entered the Kyrgyz State Art School named after S.A. Chuikov. Then he successfully graduated from the department of book graphics and illustration of the Ukrainian State Printing Institute in Lvov.
“During my student years, I painted to order, as well as for the magazine “Zhash Leninchil”. After graduating from college, he worked in a literary publishing house. There he created drawings for children’s books, as well as images in the books of akyns and writers, thereby making his contribution to the publication. At that time there were only three large publishing houses: “Kyrgyzstan”, “Adabiyat”, “Mektep”. About 2 thousand people worked and all materials for printing were finalized there.
I remember how management asked me: “Can you draw a portrait?” They noted that they had previously asked other artists who could not draw Tattybubu. They gave me a week. I remember when I was at school, I came to the capital to watch a performance with the participation of Tursunbayeva. Then tickets sold quickly and there were a lot of people who wanted to see the actress. Seeing her beauty, I dreamed of painting her portrait. Having drawn it, they released calendars with her image in 150 thousand copies,” said the artist.
In addition to book illustrations, Konushbek Moldogaziev works in the genres of graphics, painting and applied art.
Participates in republican and regional competitions, where it takes prizes.
At the competition dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Kanai uulu Baytik Baatyr, he took 3rd place in applied art and brought another prize to the Issyk-Kul region.
“I brought 4 panels and 6 graphic works to the competition. They were appreciated. In fact, I like to add elements of national color and ornaments. Since my mother is a needlewoman, I make panels and felted paintings. Thanks to my work, I traveled around Turkey and Romania. I am a member of the Union of Artists,” he noted.
Moldogaziev’s works are priced at $100. He sold one of his paintings (semi-abstract) “Attila” to England for $600. I also sent a 3-meter painting “Kyrgyz Land” to Chicago.
Many paintings are taken by foreign tourists who come to guest houses in Karakol and other areas of Issyk-Kul.
The artist has four daughters and a son.
In the future, he wants to hold a solo art exhibition.
