In the vibrant city of Atyrau, Meiramgul Zhaksylykova embarked on a journey to breathe life back into the art of ceramics. In 2018, she founded the creative studio "Qypchaq Qyz," a sanctuary where clay and creativity converge to honor the Kazakh nomadic heritage and revive an ancestral art form.
Meiramgul's affinity for ceramics dates back to her childhood. Growing up in a small village with ten siblings, she discovered her passion for molding clay from the very earth beneath her feet. Amidst the rugged landscapes she found solace in shaping clay into various forms, a pastime that ignited her imagination. It was at school that Meiramgul's artistic ambitions took root. Although her academic performance may have fallen short in the eyes of her teacher, her father saw a flicker of determination in her eyes.
"Do you want to study? Who do you want to become?" her father asked. Meiramgul responded with a resolute voice, "I want to become an artist; I like to sculpt." And with those words, her father gave her the green light to pursue her dreams. Amidst the trials of raising a large family alone after her mother's untimely passing, her father's support ignited a flame of hope within Meiramgul's heart.
Equipped with her father's blessing, Meiramgul pursued her studies at Atyrau State University, delving deep into the world of fine arts and drawing. Seeking to refine her craft, she sought training from master ceramist Rustam Usmanov in Uzbekistan, a country renowned for its stunning ceramics that span centuries of craftsmanship. Further honing her skills, Meiramgul embarked on a journey to the renowned Saint Petersburg Stieglitz State Academy of Art and Design in Russia. There she learnt about the intricate chemistry behind ceramics, exploring the science that brings clay to life.
Meiramgul named her studio "Qypchaq Qyz" in honor of her mother's memory and the significance it held in Kazakh history. The Qypchaqs, a prominent tribe that ruled vast territories across Central Asia and Eastern Europe in the 11th and 12th centuries, embody the shared heritage of Uzbek, Turkmen, Kazakh, and Tatar peoples, transcending borders and regions.
Meiramgul's journey went beyond artistic expression and entrepreneurial endeavors. As she opened her studio, she discovered the transformative power of clay in working with children with disabilities. Clay became a medium of healing, a tool that nurtured fine and gross motor skills, alleviated fear, and provided relief from stress for both children and adults. Equipped with a specific course in working with individuals with disabilities, Meiramgul ventured into uncharted territory, finding purpose and joy in making a positive impact on young lives.
Embracing her role as a social entrepreneur, Meiramgul participated in the "Zharkyra" (Shine) Program, an initiative that supports innovative social enterprises in addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges within Atyrau communities. Through this program, Meiramgul secured a grant to conduct masterclasses at the Atyrau residential home for children with learning difficulties, where her patience and determination became pillars of support for these children.
In her art, Meiramgul strives to capture the essence of the Kazakh steppe, employing traditional symbolic ornamentation that harks back to the ingenious patterns created by her ancestors. Her dream is to see Kazakh ceramics recognized and revered on a global scale, a testament to the rich cultural heritage and artistic prowess of her people. Meiramgul embraces the rekindling of religious and cultural practices, as some clients request ceramic bowls adorned with Arabic script, embracing a de-secularization phenomenon that intertwines spirituality with the secular aspects of public life.
Amidst her artistic pursuits, Meiramgul also indulges in amateur archaeological excavations, venturing to the medieval settlement of Saraishyk, a treasure trove of historical remnants. As she unearths fragments of ceramics and animal bones, she leaves behind a jar inscribed with a heartfelt message, a testament to her reverence for the past and her relentless quest to discover the stories of her ancestors.
Meiramgul Zhaksylykova's journey is more than a tale of artistic passion and entrepreneurship. It is a story of cultural revival, a quest to honor the nomadic roots and ancestral traditions of Kazakh people.
Meiramgul Zhaksylykova
