Abilkhan Kasteev (1904-1973)

Today I did a research about Abilkhan Kasteev ( 1904-1973)- Kazakh painter,  a founder of Kazakh school of Soviet realism  painting, who lived and created in Kazakhstan during its Soviet era. If you wonder why I picked up this  artist for my research, I explain: I am a native Kazakh, so I take the chance to bring something about my people to my learning blog.  Abilkhan Kasteev indeed was a first Kazakh painter who produced artworks in line with European traditions of visual art. It must be said that at the beginning of XX century Kazakh  people had been Muslims already and according to Islam rules – painting  – visualising via drawing and painting   people and landscapes was strictly prohibited. Because of religious restrictions we, as a nation, do not have a long  history of drawing and painting, however these days  there are many very  talented and interesting artists in my country.  Abilkhan Kasteev  was born in a very poor family and lost his father in his early child years. He started to work for his bread very early and in his free time he tried to draw, hiding  from relatives. Socialist revolution in 1917 gave him a chance to  pursue his artistic talent and he learned art from 1925, in Almaty with Russian painter A. Khludov.  At some point he obtained a job at the rail station  where he painted a portrait of communist leader Vladimir Lenin. The management of the rail station really  liked the art piece and send him to study painting to Almaty.   Kasteev’s  painting style belongs to what is called  “realism”, some of his works can be considered as done in line with “socialist realism” since they describe socialist  economic achievements.  He painted landscapes, industrial landscapes and portraits, trying to catch every little detail of reality around. Abilkhan Kasteev preffered to paint with aquarelle.  Below are some of his most well known artworks:

 »Turksib » image via yvision.kz

“Winter » image via bonart.kz

A Porttrait of Kazakh National Hero Amangeldi Imanov; image via oner.kz

Référence list:

1) Qazaq State Muséum of Arts. Gmirk.kz  Abilkhan Kasteev, biography 

2) bonart.kz; Kasteev Abilkhan 

3) oner.kz; Kasteev Abilkhan