“Modarnoma”: Anniversary Exhibition of Sabzaali Sharif Opens in Dushanbe

More than 30 works by Sabzaali Sharif, one of Tajikistan's leading painters, have gone on display at the National Museum of Tajikistan in Dushanbe. The exhibition, titled “Modarnoma,” or “Ode to Mother,” opened on September 2.

The presentation marks two anniversaries: the 35th anniversary of Tajikistan's state independence and Sharif's 80th birthday, which he celebrated in May. The works come from the museum's golden collection and the artist's personal collection.

Officials, fellow artists, writers and admirers attended the opening. Among them were Culture Minister Matlubajon Sattoriyon, representatives of the presidential administration, cultural heritage officials, leaders of the artists' and writers' unions, and prominent figures from Tajikistan's artistic community.

Speakers highlighted Sharif's contribution to national fine and monumental-decorative art. They also emphasized his distinctive treatment of the mother, an image that stands at the center of his work.

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Sabzaali Sharif is a master who managed to reflect the history of the Tajik people, its traditions, experiences, and trials of the civil war period through the image of mother.

Art historian Sevara Ganibaeva said Sharif had reflected the history, traditions, experiences and civil-war-era trials of the Tajik people through that image. “Sabzaali Sharif is a master who managed to reflect the history of the Tajik people, its traditions, experiences, and trials of the civil war period through the image of mother,” she said. “The image of mother is sacred to him.”

Ganibaeva identified the painting “Angel,” or “Farishta,” as the exhibition's most vivid and tender expression of the theme. She said Sharif's mother recognized his talent, sent him to study and opened the door to art for him.

She also traced the artist's development through earlier anniversary projects. “Black and White,” shown for his 50th birthday, addressed the difficult years of civil war and the drama of that era. A 75th-birthday conference presented paintings, graphics, portraits and design concepts. The current exhibition offers a deeper retrospective for his 80th birthday, although the supplied account ends while describing it.

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The image of mother is sacred to him.