ATOM Project Hon. Ambassador, Artist and Anti-Nuclear Weapons Activist Karipbek Kuyukov Holds First Astana Exhibition

May 19, 2016

The ATOM Project Honorary Ambassador, artist and anti-nuclear weapons activist Karipbek Kuyukov will hold his first exhibition in Astana for ten days beginning May 21. The exhibition will run for 10 days at the National Academic Library of Kazakhstan and will be dedicated to the creative drive and the overcoming of human difficulties.

Kuyukov was born without arms as a result of his parents’ exposure to some of the more than 450 nuclear weapon tests conducted by the Soviet Union at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. But he has overcome that challenge to become a renowned artist (he paints with his teeth and feet) and a globally recognised anti-nuclear weapons activist.

“[The exhibition] is called Polyot (Flight) because with this title we want to convey the point that even a person who was born without arms can fly and this exhibition is about overcoming human difficulties,” says Yelden Sarybai, President of Pero Fund established to promote Kazakh modern poetry, literature and writers.

“We want to inspire residents of Astana with a person [whose qualities] are hard to imagine on oneself and that even with such limitations, he has been able to successfully create a painting, conduct exhibitions and be a sterling member of society,” he noted.

Kuyukov’s physical challenges and being a native of the village of Yegindybulak that is located near the now closed Semipalatinsk nuclear testing site did not prevent the artist from creating and fighting for a world where the consequences of nuclear tests will remain in the past, the event’s Facebook page says.

The exhibition’s paintings will include works depicting nuclear victims as well as Kazakh landscapes and history.

“We want to present Karipbek as a person who is not confined by a single style, there is watercolour, oil on canvas, cardboard, a great deal of technique and different plots,” Sarybai said, adding the exhibition was timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence.

The exhibition opens at 3 p.m. May 21 and will be available from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. for ten days. The address of the National Academic Library of Kazakhstan is 11 Dostyk Street, Astana. Call +7 7172 47 26 53 for more information.