Exhibition guide
Almagul Menlibayeva
People and Animals, 1997
Exhibition guide
Almagul Menlibayeva
Little Gods from My Mother’s Dress, 1995
This retrospective not only celebrates the diversity and depth of Menlibayeva’s artistic expression but also highlights how her practice embodies her own identity, which is deeply intertwined with Kazakhstan’s complex history and transformation from a site of nomadism to one of often forced settlement, as well as her re-imagining of possible futures.
Jaume Plensa
(1955, Barcelona)
Nades
Polyester resin, fiberglass, stainless steel
2023
The exhibition unpacks how the artist tries to understand her own roots, socio-political, cultural, and economic, as well as the geo-political situation in Kazakhstan through her multifaceted artistic projects.
Curator Gridthiya Gaweewong
Outside the museum stands Nades, a twelve-meter sculpture by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa - a monumental portrait of a young girl, eyes closed, inviting quiet reflection in the heart of the city.
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Much of Spanish artist Jaume Plensa's work is created for public spaces around the world. His monumental portraits invite reflection on spirituality, silence, and memory.
Here, outside the museum, you see his new twelve-meter sculpture Nades, commissioned by the Almaty Museum of Arts.
The work depicts the head of a young girl, her eyes closed, her gaze turned inward. In the bustle of the city, she becomes an island of stillness — an invitation to pause, breathe, and reflect.
The girl's braided hair recalls Kazakh traditions, yet the image remains universal, allowing each viewer to project their own feelings and memories.
Plensa's sculptures often balance intimacy and monumentality. With Nades, he has given Almaty one of his largest works to date, placing contemplation at the heart of the urban landscape.
