Transformation of the traditions of Turkmen weaving at the exhibition of carpets
The gallery of the Union of Artists of Turkmenistan hosts a personal exhibition of carpet products by the famous craftswoman Annabibi Islamova.
The exposition includes traditional ornamental carpets, original bags, stylish covers, cases and other accessories in the national style, functional and beautiful accessories for the house, based on the ancient decoration of the Turkmen dwelling. Once, almost all the furniture in it was replaced with patterned bows, and the doorways were decorated with “gaps”, resembling luxurious painted mosaic portals on medieval architectural structures of the East.
“I devoted my whole life to carpets. For more than five decades in weaving, I have hundreds of different products, but all of them are like a continuation of one story for me,” said Annabibi Islamova, Honored Art Worker, Senior Lecturer at the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan.
Some of her works are created according to the author's technology: this is a special way of weaving, something between a carpet and a rug, due to which the product turns out to be very dense, textured.
It was this technique that Annabibi used for the “dastarkhan” (“supra”), at which the entire Turkmen family used to gather. Even now it is often used in everyday life, but rather as an ornament, a tribute to traditions.
Annabibi Islamova adopted her love for carpet weaving from her mother, who was also a master.
- Mom always came with yarn in her hands, taught weaving to me and my two sisters - she recalls. - Putting us behind the machine, she carefully watched our movements, corrected, helped by advice.
Annabibi graduated from the history department of the Turkmen State University named after Magtymguly, and therefore for her the creation of carpets is connected not only with weaving, but also with the study of its history, the origin of symbols, their transformation.
Her book “Development of carpet weaving art in Turkmenistan” will be released very soon. It contains all the materials accumulated over many years about Turkmen carpets, the origin and improvement of carpet weaving in different regions of the country, as well as the stories of women carpet weavers. The book will also become a tool for beginning craftswomen, because the whole process is described in detail, from the technology of dyeing yarn to the final fixing of the last strands of carpet.
The exhibition will last for ten more days.
Ayna BERDIYEVA
