In contemporary fine arts of Uzbekistan, Gafur Kadirov occupies a special place. In his student years at the Republican art school and then at the State Art Institute of Surikov, he created pictures in a style of realism, which bear traces of famous Uzbek artist S. Abdurashidov’s influence. His works «Wedding» (1984), «Boy and cock» (1982) and «Old city » (1984) are among them. This influence is clearly expressed in localized color solutions, compositions, capacious and expressive forms. In pictures of that period, the artist aspired to transmit sincere feelings — inspiration, surprise, delight, passion, etc. Gradually he was bending to avant-garde. The artist adhered to Sufi comprehension and view of the world, in particular, typical of philosophic work of Djalal ad-Din Rumi «One’s about one».
Starting from images of real subjects, G. Kadirov aspires to a variety of expressive means and art interpretation of reality in general. In this respect, as the artist says, the art way of such artists, as Minas Avetisyan, Victor Popkov amd Shuhrat Abdurashidov, which pay great attention to a choice of color and to compositional solutions, is very exhibitive.
As a background in his pictures, G. Kadirov quite often uses floral ornament traditional for medieval art. Its elements, in particular, a blossoming pomegranate, comes from one work into another as a capacious metaphorical symbol.
As in miniature painting, attributes of space and time are not so important in the works of the artist. Eternity and a seal of changeless time occupy a key position. Each subject represents an impulse to osmose of its mysterious veiled sense. If a source is pure, inflows will be pure too. Purity of feelings finds reflection in of the artist’s talent as a colorist. Skill of each creator is different in a level; the great judge, whose name is Time, will estimate its value.
His primary target is externalization of impressions from visible and real world, a reconstruction of the inner life, growing in a process of emotional experiences. Tips to the Fergana valley, Humsan, Kainarsai, Pskom, Chatkal as well as exploration of Bukhara and Khiva monuments rendered great influence on G. Kadirov’s creativity. A motif of his art is self-actualization. This theme finds reflection both in realistic, and in avant-garde works. The artist believes that the world can be perceived through a feeling of love. Creating colour combinations, he tries to transmit features of Life and Eternity, arousing craving for lost. Such are pictures of 2003 — 2004, «Humsan», «Kainarsai», «Autumn in Pskom», «Road in Fergana», «Langar Chartak», «Clouds», «Kurbankul», «Bridge above yellow brook», «Moonlight night» and «Red fish». Metamorphosis of the nature sound especially warm in them.
In lyrical works, the artist quite often uses images of coins, pomegranates, various trees and plants as symbolical elements. Ancient coins are similar to the moon, the sun and stars — round, mysterious and magic. Pomegranate — a symbol of perfection and maturity, it is beautiful as a breast of a woman, filled with passion. Leaves — a symbol of eternity, Life Tree.
Works «Ramazan» (2004), «Legend about love » (2004), «Tender» (2004) and «Woman in pink and dark blue cat» (2004) expose soft colours and plainness of motifs. They emanate magic calls for fun and pleasures and remind about the most delightful and wonderful moments in the life. Forgotten impressions and senses of the soul far gone in love come back. Metamorphoses of the soul in light pink, yellow and green tones as if are weaved from the kindest feelings.
The artist’s works, at first sight, create feeling of childlike drawing. To understand the world as a child does, to realize and reflect it simplified, in a primitivistic manner is not a simple task for any artist. For example, the picture «Woman in a red dress», where G. Kadirov creates the original blue world, where reigns the woman in red.
Kadirov continues traditions of Oriental medieval miniature. The art of A. Volkov, Usto Mumin, O. Tatevosyan, C. Akhmarov and A. Abdullaev is affined to him. In the works, created on a basis of kind feelings and bright impressions, the artist pays especial attention to a melody of colour and composition, using, like A. Volkov and Usto Mumin, traditions of the Uzbek national applied arts (suzane, embroidery), what, in its own turn, opens new opportunities of painting.
Kadirov is a permanent participant of the republican and international exhibitions representing our art abroad. Last years, he successfully participated in exhibitions hold in Washington, New York, Moscow and Paris. This year, in Tashkent, at the Central Exhibition Hall has been hold his personal exhibition representing about one hundred works. All pictures caused great interest and gave the opportunity to know better Gafur Kadirov and to open new facets of this remarkable artist.
Author: Nodir Normatov