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.
"Voice" created in 2017, measuring 80x100 cm, resonates with the themes of the "Requiem" painting.
The power of this thematic painting lies in the content of its artistic imagery. Since it's called "Voice," the viewer immediately focuses on the musical theme. The figure of a kobyz (Kazakh national instrument) player wearing a tymak (traditional Kazakh hat) is the first to catch the eye. The kobyz is a highly sacred instrument, even more so than the dombra. Historically, it was considered a spiritual instrument connected to Tengri (the Sky God) and was often used in many rituals. Both Christianity and Islam labeled the bowed instrument as the devil's tool, concealing its connection to Tengri. In this painting, a deceased warrior is depicted. His future fate is to live eternally with Tengri. The kobyz player is performing a lament as he sends off the warrior's soul, which is depicted as a bird. Beside the mourning young widow is a young girl playing a syrnai (a traditional Kazakh wind instrument). The painting is designed to convey a mystical, meditative musical atmosphere. The syntas (ritual stones) merging with the blue sky, and the white-clad figures resembling angels from the higher realms, add a mystical dimension to the scene. The mournful camel and the powerful bull also enhance the painting's expression. The artistic image, shaped by a deep study of life's phenomena, emerges as a fantastical representation of reality. To evoke reflection, the artist incorporates strong ethno-mystical images, allowing the audience to freely engage with the artwork's ideas and artistic qualities.
Overall, the painting's strength and content are built on a solid composition. This composition contains elements that both captivate and stir the imagination, compelling the viewer to emotionally engage with the depicted scene. The work evokes deep psychological concerns, expressing the emotions and thoughts that form the core of the artistic image. The clarity of the dramatic narrative, the authenticity of actions, the psychological depth of the characters, the natural arrangement of figures, the clarity of the spatial structure, the richness of color and material density, the balance of masses, movement, and rhythm—all of these elements, handled masterfully by Ali, create the necessary expressiveness. This is not a hastily crafted work but rather a result of an internal storm, ripened thoughts, and a bittersweet sorrow that burns within. The painting's emotional force is so powerful that the unveiled images are utterly convincing, causing the viewer to feel the depicted emotions deeply.
In 2017, he wrote a painting called "Yellow tone". This work corresponds to "Saryn" with its composition and idea. The difference from the previous work is to strengthen the mystical atmosphere through fantastic images such as the bull and the man with the sun from ancient Kazakh mythology. The artist depicts a world created to search for metaphysical issues and the meaning of existence, opening the way to extraneous dimensions.
