Ali, who poured his talent, time, and energy into this wonderfully crafted piece, will leave no viewer indifferent. The visual representation and its emotional impact are astonishing. Moreover, its intellectual significance is profound. The artist has depicted the mysterious secrets of the human phenomenon, created from 'body, soul, and spirit.' He has likened the world where our ancestors and Tengri (the Sky God) lived to a mystical realm. The three works are filled with ethno-information that leads the viewer toward the horizon of mythical and folkloric understanding, uniting them in a single flow. The folkloric theme of death, a complex topic that few dare to address, is presented here. However, instead of focusing on tragedy, the work emphasizes epic power, effectively conveying the history and worldview of the people.
Major Works: Funeral. 150x250 cm. 2019. Yellow Sound. 80x100 cm. 2017. Melody. 144.5x145 cm. 2015
These are some of Ali's most remarkable works that have entered the golden collection of Kazakh art. Each of these pieces took two years to complete, undergoing numerous sketches and explorations. His works possess a mystical intuition and an endless thought process. The creative journey behind these pieces reflects a deep exploration of cosmic and eternal themes, including the relationship between the soul and body, and life and death.
In the process of creating a work, each artist has their own distinctive features. In this piece, the introspection and sensitivity to self-awareness are portrayed in a new way. The deeper the artist understands what they bring to the world, the more unique, interesting, and unparalleled the result becomes. The idea of the work, as in most cases, comes from extensive knowledge and life experiences, where one image leads to another, resulting in a philosophical reflection. This painting immediately transports the viewer to the era of the Altai Sakas. In the center, a Saka king, adorned in a golden mask and having dismounted from a horned royal horse, is depicted sitting cross-legged. The characters in this work are dressed magnificently. Ali was deeply concerned with the issues of life and death. Being well-versed in folklore and mythology, Ali immediately turns to the kobyz (a traditional Kazakh instrument connected to Tengri). The kobyz player, linked to Tengri, is also present in this work. His trance-like, laid-back posture is highly impactful. In this piece, the kobyz player is the main mourner, playing a lament and guiding the soul to Tengri in the afterlife. A young widow is seen removing the warrior's battle shield mask, looking mournful. The distant hills blend with the blue, cloudy sky. In the background, some tombstones are depicted further away, while others are shown closer. The painting encourages reflection on the passage of life from the material world to the eternal and the glorious warrior history. The depiction of ancestral spirits and the relationship with the afterlife brings the viewer back to ancient times. You are astonished by the artist's devotion to his understanding of the world. The symbolism connected to Tengri, signs, concepts, traditional understandings, and the rich design of the costumes are reevaluated, creating a sense of unity in the images.
During this creative search, in 2015, Ali Bakhtygerey wrote a painting called "Saryn". This work became an important stage in his artistic practice and established him as a representative of the school of Turanian romanticism. The artist has been working on sketches for this topic for a long time, and they are full and multi-layered aimed to create a composition. The name "Saryn" is associated with music, which is unique the painting determines of atmosphere. In this work, Ali Bakhtygerey created images combining historical and decorative elements, incorporating the images of the Scythian period into his imagination. The composition of the painting is enriched with historical and cultural allusions, which gives it depth. Colors based on the Kazakh genotype and their associative perception combine the emotional harmony of the painting with musical motifs.
