Gulnur Mukazhanova premiered a new triptych from her ongoing Bosağa series at Frieze London, examining nomadic Central Asian heritage and 14th-century Italian trade routes through textile art, euronews.com reported.
Textile Artworks Explore Nomadic History at Frieze London
Presented in collaboration with Turkish Airlines, the installation Bosağa: Journeys Across Cultures and Time features works created by the Kazakh-born, Berlin-based artist. The exhibition highlights felt as a central material deeply rooted in nomadic traditions across Central Asia. Traditionally used to construct yurts, felt provided physical shelter for generations of the artist’s ancestors during travels across vast landscapes.
To construct the pieces, Mukazhanova combines handmade felt with fragments of vibrant fabric collected during her travels across Asia. Rather than utilizing permanent adhesives or stitching, she pins the fabric fragments directly into place. This method creates a deliberate feeling of fragility and reflects the concept that material things do not require permanence.
Linguistic Roots and Historical Influences Behind Bosağa
The series title originates from a shared word across Kazakh and other Turkic languages. According to euronews.com, bosağa
translates to threshold,
denoting a point of passage between physical places, distinct cultures, or different states of being. The ongoing series began in 2021.
Beyond nomadic architecture, the artworks draw inspiration from the tuskiiz, a traditional Kazakh embroidered wall hanging rich in cultural symbolism and historically associated with protection. Mukazhanova also incorporated research into 14th-century Italian art, focusing specifically on the richly decorated carpets that traveled from Asia into Europe along the historic Silk Road.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Exhibition
What material is at the center of Gulnur Mukazhanova’s artworks?
Handmade felt forms the core of the triptych, serving as a direct nod to the material traditionally used to build Central Asian yurts.
What does the word bosağa mean in Turkic languages?
The word translates to threshold, representing a physical or cultural passage between places and states of being.
How does the artist attach fabric fragments to the felt?
Instead of sewing or gluing the pieces together, Mukazhanova pins vibrant fabric fragments into place to emphasize fragility and impermanence.