BUKHARA BIENNIAL : RECIPE FOR BROKEN HEARTS

On the outer wall of Khoja Kalon Mosque, imaginary creatures emerge from traditional carved plaster, created in collaboration with master ganch craftsman Abdurakhim Umarov. The panels draw inspiration from ancient illustrated manuscripts, where multiple stories unfold within a single image. Each one is composed of shapes recalling grains, spices, fruits, and insects — evoking memory, nourishment, and the farming traditions of the region.

Rather than narrating a single tale, the work intertwines many layers of Bukhara’s heritage and its present-day revival. Playful figures echo the mythical animals of Central Asian architecture, imagined here as guardians of shared cultural memory. Accented with touches of enamel paint, the panels celebrate life and movement.

This project is a love letter to the animal kingdom: fragile, magical, and enduring… echoing childhood wonder and nature’s quiet power to adapt, transform, and heal.