The Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan presents the solo exhibition “My Path” by artist Aigerim Bektaeva, running from July 30 to August 6, 2025.
Aigerim Bektaeva is a mother of four and a modern woman who seamlessly blends tradition and innovation in her art. Drawing inspiration from the cultural heritage of her people, she creates paintings where the personal becomes universal. Aigerim Bektaeva was born in Shymkent on January 27, 1986. She grew up in a family where love and respect for knowledge were deeply valued, creating a strong inner foundation and nurturing her creative 
spirit. Her artistic journey began in childhood – first through art school, and later painting became her profession and mission. In addition to formal education, she studied under international mentors in Florence, Paris, Moscow, and at the Barcelona Academy of Art. She was a student of renowned masters such as Andrea Baccalini and A. Akanaev.
Bektaeva holds a Doctorate in Art History, is a member of the Academy of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the founder of the “Zere School of Fine Arts.” She is a laureate of international competitions and a participant in prestigious art fairs and exhibitions in New York, Paris, and Miami. Her works have been awarded Grand Prix prizes in Paris, Rome, and Madrid, as well as high honours for her contribution to culture and the arts. A. Bektaeva’s artistic practice develops along two main paths: portrait painting and conceptual painting series. In her portraits, she seeks to convey not only external likeness but also the inner depth of a person. Her portrait series are dedicated to the cultures she encounters on her journey – each becoming a visual bridge between tradition and modernity. In parallel, she creates the “Queen Bees” series – symbolic images inspired by archetypes and deep philosophical reflections. As painter herself notes: Аs a portraitist, I’m committed to the slow, thoughtful process of respectfully portraying individuality. In my practice, I create portrait series dedicated to different cultures – starting with my native Kazakh culture and continuing with others. Each series is a way to understand a person through their roots, traditions, and symbols. I work primarily with oil, allowing each portrait to evolve over months – through layering, refinement, and attentive presence. For me, it’s important not only to achieve physical resemblance, but also to convey the inner essence: dignity, stillness, meaning. Portraiture is a craft that demands time, respect, and full immersion. Alongside this, I continue to develop the “Queen Bees” series – paintings that explore themes of strength, personal transformation, identity, and belonging through symbolic imagery inspired by meditative practice and natural forms.
The exhibition features around 30 works by A. Bektaeva. Each of her pieces is a symbol of perseverance, self-realisation, and the pursuit of something new. Through the variability of style, palette, and context, the artist works in two distinct directions – creating multifaceted portraits and her “Queen Bees” series, which serve as a reminder that discipline is essential for meaningful results.
The exhibition will run through August 6, 2025.
