Oriented on making people closer

Natalia Kalugina's painting is not just landscapes, but a deep, heartfelt appeal to the soul of the Turkmen land. The works of the artist, who is wholeheartedly in love with the diverse nature of the region, are instantly recognizable by the characteristic yellow-lilac palette, which has become the master's personal colorful marker. She prefers to create en plein air in autumn, when nature is clothed in gold, or in winter, when majestic and restrained colors create an atmosphere of noble peace.

A special place in Natalia Kalugina's work is occupied by the mountainous landscapes of Kopetdag. This is not just an image of nature, but a kind of dialogue with the great past. The idea that the genius poet Magtymguly once roamed these same mountains remains sacred to everyone who has visited it. One of these works, "Herkez", seems to take us to the places where the best lines dedicated to the Turkmen people were born.

But the artist's work goes beyond the pure landscape. She turns to deep historical themes, embodying folk legends in her canvases. A striking example is the painting "The Horsemen of Makhtym-Mazem". It is based on graffiti left by pilgrims on the wall of the mausoleum of a saint who lived in the 15th century. Natalia Kalugina doesn't just copy the images, but gives them romantic overtones, turning horsemen with long spears and curved sabers into heroes fighting an invisible enemy. The argali depicted nearby, as symbols of the Yang, refer us to the requests of pilgrims who come to St. Makhtym-Mazem with the hope of having a son.

Another painting dedicated to holy places is an image of the small tomb of Shibli Baba among the mountains of Syunt-Khasardag. The path to it is not easy, and it is this difficulty that makes the pilgrimage even more valuable. The artist masterfully focuses the viewer's attention on the tomb, distinguishing it from the general background.

Simple in plot, but deep in meaning, the painting "Towards the Monument" attracts the eye with its dominant bright yellow color. A well-trodden path in the foreground leads us through a golden field to the ruins of an unknown monument. Despite the fact that time has erased the memory of its owner, the narrow path laid by people testifies to its spiritual power and significance for the people.

Carefully examining paintings by Natalia Kalugina, we not only get acquainted with her work, but also make a kind of spiritual journey. We are transported to places where you can come into contact with the memory of legendary personalities and feel the atmosphere of peace and quiet.

We invite you to the State Museum of Fine Arts to get acquainted with these and other works by Natalia Kalugina, in order to personally immerse yourself in a world where nature and history are intertwined into a single whole.

And, perhaps, this trip will become for you not only the discovery of the world of colors and lines, but also a touch to the very soul of the Turkmen land. We are waiting for you to share this adventure and show that every new visit to the museum is a new discovery.

Nuryagdy Babayev, State Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan

Photo: author