The Kasteyev State Museum of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan possesses the most complete and highest quality collection of Kazakh fine arts created in the end of the 19th century till present time.
The exhibition “Fine Arts of Kazakhstan of the early and mid 20th century” allows one to track the evolution of Kazakhstani art. Artistic development can be seen through the examples of pieces created by Kazakhstan’s first generation of professional artists, who formed a national art school in the republic. The foundation for forming professional educational and exhibition infrastructure in Kazakhstan was laid by a series of events in the 1930’s: in 1933, the Organizing Committee of the Union of the Kazakh SSR was established, in 1935, an art gallery opened, and in 1938, the School of Art and Theatre was opened.
Kazakh fine arts truly blossomed in the second half of the 1950s. During this time, an entire galaxy of young and talented artists graduated from the best art institutes of the USSR and entered the republic’s cultural life. Among them were such outstanding masters as the People’s Artists of Kazakhstan Kanafia Telzhanov, Sabur Mambeyev, Aisha Galimbayeva, Moldakhmet Kenbayev, Gulfairus Ismailova, Khakimzhan Nauryzbayev and many other painters, graphic artists and sculptors. Their works demonstrate bright spirit and distiquished professionalism. Through their art, they aspired to express a love for their native land, history, and people.
