The artworks draw on fifteen years of archeological research by masters across Uzbekistan. The visitors can see new types of pottery adorned with rock images from thousands of years ago.

The Rakhimov dynasty, known internationally as guardians of the secrets of Central Asia’s pottery art and traditional patterns, have displayed their creations many times to art enthusiasts and historians. This time the fans of their art have the opportunity to attend an original exhibition which connects the past and the present through ceramic artworks.

Akbar Rahimov, prominent ceramist and academic:

“We created the works reflecting traditions of farming communities and hunter herders from many centuries ago. We were impressed by the images of humans, animals and fantastic creatures depicted on the rocks. Characters and symbols like the moon, sun, tridents, crosses, three dots, circles and squares piqued our interest. Later, these images and characters became ornaments and patterns. All this inspired us to create the works presented in our 10th exhibition over the last 6 years. I'm glad to see guests from all over the world here in my studio. What we found in Zarautsoy, Suratsay and Hojikent is a heritage that belongs not only to our country but also to the whole world. I’m happy that our family has devoted so many years to this research and IJOD Association with the Fund Forum helped organize this exhibition.”

This idea was conceived 15 years ago, when, at the request of the then Japanese envoy to Uzbekistan, Tashkent ceramists made several trips to various parts of Uzbekistan to familiarize themselves with rock paintings. A series of amazing petroglyphs with images of ancient people could be seen at Zarautsai gorge high in the Kugitag mountains. Of particular interest is an image of men hunting bulls. Uzbekistan is home to a multitude of places with ancient rock art, the most prominent being Ilonsoy and Oqsoy at Samarkand, Hojikent at Tashkent, Suratsoy in Ferghana, Teketosh in Marguzar mountains and Sarmishsoy near Navoi city. The team discovered a storehouse of invaluable information about people who once lived there. It is this wealth of newly found history that inspired prominent ceramist Akbar Rakhimov and his son Alisher to create a series of clay objects decorated with amazing images found high up in the mountains.

Jorge Espinal, head of the UNESCO Tashkent Office:

“This exhibition is kind of a bridge between the past and the present. I am very grateful to this dynasty for having done so much to preserve the cultural heritage of your country. Also, I appreciate the Fund Forum’s efforts not only in preserving ancient traditions but also in promoting them among young people”.

Rock paintings have been a realistic reflection of a particular people’s spiritual world. The images were created with the use of raddle (a red iron ore used in dyeing and marking) or were carved on rock. In primitive art, the mysteriousness of content and simplicity of form make rock art enticing. These images reflect what surrounded people in daily life: hunting, pastures, tools, corrals, etc.

Rock painting is one of the few media which may be relied upon in trying to assess the inner world of ancient people. Their beliefs and feelings are vividly reflected in this unique art. This explains why researchers give so much attention to this ancient type of applied art.

Usto-Shogird School, Tashkent’s first ceramics school, was set up in April 2005 with support from the Fund Forum. The school’s professional ceramists – masters representing the Rakhimov dynasty – organize art shows and give master classes regularly, thereby helping conserve and develop traditional ceramics in Uzbekistan.