As a woman from Kazakhstan and a brand new Canadian, when I show my culture and history through my work, I am showing a mixture of many cultures that have been in Central Asia over thousands of years combined with my own perceptions. My past and present experience come together to influence me and my work. The historical influence is strongest with my choice of textiles. As many aboriginal cultures have done in the past, my people have been using wool in all aspects of their life, including art. It serves as a symbol of history for me as I honor the thousands of generations that came before me that have expressed themselves in dress, design of the yurt, the decorations for the yurt,and carpets. Combining silk with unprocessed wool serves as a symbol of my origins in representing the Silk Road. This is a place on the Earth that has seen diverse cultures as one of the world's first trading routes from China to the West. This Route has been an active joining force for all of Asia to be connected to Africa and Europe.The audience will see some aspects of this culture and history in my work. I hope they also see part of my own reflection in my work, which is my main influence.
That is to say I create to express myself, my culture, and history all at once.
2009 Art Work By Aliza Art |
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