In conversation with sisters GaBo Kussainovs (Kazakhstan)
Bouquet with pears, 67 x 50 cm, black biro pen on paper, 2016
Bota:
During my childhood I came across some post cards with flower paintings by Dutch female artist Rachel Ruysch who lived in 17th century. I kept them in my draw for a very long time and I can say those still – lifes shaped my artistic vision.
Galya:
When we went to study art in St Petersburg we were able to see Rachel Ruysch ‘s flower still lives in The Hermitage. She became for us one of the greatest exponents of the genre and also a very strong influence.
Kazakh ornaments - 4, 100 x 80 cm, acrylic on canvas, 2014
Bota:
I’ve also been influenced by Georgia O’Keefe large-scale studies of flowers, painted as if she was looking at them through a magnifying glass.
Galya:
I would like to add that Russian artist Natalya Goncharova with her stylized compositions have also became a part of my artistic vocabulary
We also are very proud to be influenced by the work of a first Kazakh female artist Gulfairus Ismailova. Her art played a major role in our interest to depict scenes that we see in remote villages in Kazakhstan, national legends and tales.
Our artistic practice consists of further development of different painting technics as well as graphics and ceramics. We also make installations using our ceramics.
