Kyrgyzstan’s UN Mission Opens Environmental Art Exhibition in New York

In honor of International Mother Earth Day, the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations has opened an art exhibition in New York, highlighting the planet’s environmental challenges. The exhibition features works by young Kyrgyz artists that explore the intricate relationship between climate change, human development, and the natural world. Through a mix of paintings and installations, the artists aim to emphasize the environmental threats affecting global stability. [caption id="attachment_31162" align="aligncenter" width="900"] @mfa.gov.kg[/caption] Speaking at the opening, Aida Kasymalieva, Kyrgyzstan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, underscored the urgent need for intergenerational dialogue and collective responsibility in tackling environmental degradation. “Humanity must realize its shared duty to nature and future generations,” she said, calling for stronger efforts to reduce pollution, curb biodiversity loss, and increase funding for green initiatives. “This exhibition supports the Kyrgyz Republic’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability both nationally and internationally,” the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry stated in a press release. “Kyrgyzstan is actively implementing programs to preserve mountain ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and transition to a green economy.” [caption id="attachment_31163" align="aligncenter" width="900"] @mfa.gov.kg[/caption] Kyrgyzstan has long sought to draw international attention to the unique vulnerabilities of mountain regions. Since the early 2000s, the country has positioned itself as a global advocate for highland communities, particularly in the context of climate resilience and sustainable development.

Altynai Osmo’s New Show in New York: Restoring Female Narratives

In the heart of Tribeca in New York, the Sapar Contemporary Art Gallery has launched a new exhibition, Beneath the Earth and Above the Clouds, which brings Central Asian narratives to the forefront. This dual show – which runs until May 15, 2025 - features Altynai Osmo and Aya Shalkar, two artists who have been devoted to exploring female narratives in the region, and do this through works that are both steeped into tradition, and modern and vibrant at the same time. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Altynai Osmo, a multimedia artist from Kyrgyzstan whose work weaves the threads of nomadic heritage with contemporary expression. Born in Bishkek and nurtured by the serene shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, Osmo's artistic journey is deeply rooted in the traditions of her homeland. A graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, she seamlessly blends mediums — textiles, metals, video, and installation — to explore themes of identity, matriarchy, and the evolving role of women in Central Asian societies. Her works such as Blessing Yurt, a red fringed costume inspired by the Kyrgyz nomadic traditional dwelling, not only pay homage to ancestral practices but also challenges present-day socio-political narratives. Speaking with TCA, Osmo reflects on the layers of meaning in her new series, her enduring engagement with mythology and matriarchy, and how her practice bridges personal memory and collective history. [caption id="attachment_31131" align="aligncenter" width="2231"] Image courtesy of Altynai Osmo/Sapar Contemporary Art Gallery[/caption] TCA: Can you tell me about how your previous practice led to this new series for the show? My previous work has always involved exploring the intersections of feminine identity, cultural memory, and inherited spirituality in Central Asia, particularly in Kyrgyzstan. This new series evolved naturally from that foundation. It reflects a more layered and intentional engagement with Central Asian history, mythology and matriarchal histories — particularly the symbolic and spiritual dimensions that have often been erased, distorted and forgotten. The materials and narratives I use now draw more explicitly from the Kyrgyz epic, Manas, ancestral craftsmanship, and belief systems like Tengrism, allowing me to express deeper reflections on women's roles across time. TCA: Your Kyrk Kyz series reinterprets the legendary warrior women of Central Asia. How does this mythology resonate with contemporary Kyrgyz identity and gender roles? The Kyrk Kyz legend, with its origin in female strength and collective action, presents a striking contrast to the more patriarchal norms that dominate present-day Kyrgyz/Central Asian society. Revisiting these stories reminds us that women were once seen as the protectors of land, lineage, and cultural continuity. By reimagining these warriors through my art, I want to challenge modern gender expectations and inspire a reconnection to a more empowering view of womanhood that is already rooted in our collective past. [caption id="attachment_31132" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image courtesy of Altynai Osmo/Sapar Contemporary Art Gallery[/caption] TCA: The use of felt in your masks ties your work to nomadic traditions. How does the choice of materials reinforce the themes of your work? Felt is not just a...