Saodat Ismailova

Saodat Ismailova (b. 1981, Tashkent) is an important voice within the first generation of Central Asian artists who came of age in the post-Soviet era. Her work explores the rich, complex and layered culture of her native region. Ismailova intertwines myths, rituals and dreams with everyday life, and in a nuanced way calls attention to social issues such as ecological problems and the right of women to veil or not. In her work there is plenty of room for intuition, magic, music and performance. The turbulent political history of the region is never far away.

Ismailova also focuses on the identity and emancipation of women. They play an important role in keeping cultural and spiritual heritage alive, for example by passing down stories and customs from mother to daughter for generations.

This richly illustrated publication pays attention to Ismailova's extraordinary oeuvre, with an interview by Dina Akhmadeeva, and essays by Erica Moukarzel, Filipa Ramos and Yuliya Sorokina.