Central Asia | Naima Morelli

Published! Interview with Kazakh-Korean artist Alexander Ugay for Times of Central Asia

09-04-2025

In his new show, More than Dreams, Less than Things, at NIKA Projects in Paris, Ugay looks at the origins of image-making both literally and philosophically. Inspired by Ibn al-Haytham’s Book of Optics, the artist reanimates the ancient camera obscura, letting light seep through the book’s pages to birth abstract images: faded records of a presence.

The exhibition, which opened on March 16, explores the tension between technological progress and the way this can be disrupted by the power of imagination and poetry – eminently human things – by looking at the intersection of photography, technology, and diasporic memory.

I wrote this piece for Times of Central Asia

Here is the link to the article

Published! Uzbekistan at the 2025 Venice Biennale at Times of Central Asia

By: Naima Morelli

25-03-2025

Central Asia, Interview, Italy, Published

Is it possible to preserve architectural heritage while working towards sustainability? And what to make of the architectural relics of the past century? Can they somehow take on new meaning rather than remaining a representation of dystopias and utopias of the past?

All these questions and more are addressed by the Uzbekistan Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale. Running alternate years with the Art Biennale, this is undoubtedly one of the most important architectural events in the international arena.

I have interviewed Ekaterina Golovatyuk of Studio GRACE, the architectural film that curated the Uzebek Pavillion. The piece is for Times of Central Asia.

Here is the link to the interview

Published! Q&A with Sara Raza director of CCA Tashkent

By: Naima Morelli

10-03-2025

Central Asia, Interview, News, Published

Sara Raza is a litmus test for the spirit of the times in the shape of an art curator. In simple terms, art crowds can count on her direction for the Tashkent Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) to bring the most pressing issues in contemporary art to the foreground.

Indeed, the author of the book Punk Orientalism – and the namesake curatorial studio – has been just appointed as Artistic Director and Chief Curatorial Director of the CCA Tashkent, set to open in September 2025.

It’s a strategic move for the Centre, which has aspirations of becoming a global arts and culture hub and is aiming at international artistic and creative exchanges, which include residencies, exhibitions, workshops, and educational programmes, and contributing to Uzbekistan’s cultural ecosystem.

Here is the link to the interview

Published! Simurgh Self-Help by Slavs and Tatars’ on Times of Central Asia

By: Naima Morelli

21-02-2025

Central Asia, English, Interview, Published

The mythological figure of the Simurgh is the focus of Slavs and Tatars’ latest show at the gallery The Third Line in Dubai called “Simurgh Self-Help”.

The show speaks of the importance of reclaiming and reframing cultural memories in a fractured world, and an invitation to think beyond the artificial, top-down confines of nationalism, to find cultural unity.

I have interview Payam, one half of Slav and Tatars, for The Times of Central Asia.

Here is the link to te piece

Published! Central Asia in Paris for Times of Central Asia

By: Naima Morelli

14-11-2024

Central Asia, Europe, News, Published, Research, Visit

For the historically underrepresented Central Asian art market, smaller fairs represent today an important alley, more than the big fairs such as Art Basel – which just had its second Paris iteration this October. “Boutique fairs,” as they are called, often present curated programming which allow a wide public – not just collectors and buyers – to enjoy the art as it was an exhibition. A selling one, of course.

In Paris, the most relevant fair which has historically presented Central Asian artists to the European public is called Asia Now, and it took place in Paris from October 17 to 20. Entirely dedicated to Asian art, the fair has historically tried to fill the gap for Central Asian art in the European market in the past ten years of its existence.

I wrote the piece for Times of Central Asia.

Here is the link to the article

Published! Interview with Kazakh Artist Gulnur Mukazhanova for Times of Central Asia

By: Naima Morelli

17-08-2024

Central Asia, Interview, Published, Research

Born in Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan, shortly before the end of the USSR, artist Gulnur Mukazhanovahas been working with textiles since beginning her practice, and influenced by Kazakh traditions, employs felt as a primary material.

Spiritual and emotional, her abstractions are informed by issues concerning identity and the transformation of traditional values of her native culture in the age of globalization.

I have interviewed the artist for The Times of Central Asia

Here is the link to the interview

Published! Interview with Aspan Gallery on Times of Central Asia

By: Naima Morelli

11-07-2024

Central Asia, Interview, Published

My latest piece for the Times of Central Asia is entitled “Almaty’s Aspan Gallery Champions Central Asian Art at Home and Abroad.” For this article, I have interview Aspan Gallery’s director Meruyert Kaliyeva.

Here is the link to the interview

Published! Kazakhstan’s Pavilion at the Venice Biennale for The Times of Central Asia

By: Naima Morelli

12-06-2024

Central Asia, Interview, News, Published, Research, Visit

The Kazakh pavilion “Jerūiyq: Journey Beyond the Horizon” at the 60th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, from April 20 to November 24, represents a major milestone in changing perceptions of Kazakh art.

Staged in the Naval Historical Museum, the exhibition reinterprets the ancient legend of Jerūiyq, drawing inspiration from Kazakh myths and the visionary journey of the 15th-century philosopher Asan Kaigy.

I have interviewed the Pavillion’s curator Anvar Musrepov for The Times of Central Asia.

Here is the link to the interview

Curatorial text: Inessa Kalabekova’s Descendants of the Dragon in Singapore

By: Naima Morelli

27-12-2023

Central Asia, English, Essay, News

I have written the curatorial text for the new show “Descendants of the Dragons” by Singapore-based Kazakh artist Inessa Kalabekova at the Music Box Museum. The show opened on 1 December, and will run until 31 January 2024.

Please find the press release down below.

Central Asia in the spotlight at Asia Now fair on The Financial Times

By: Naima Morelli

14-10-2023

Central Asia, Interview, News, Published

I have a new piece out on the weekend edition of the Financial Times, called “Central Asia in the spotlight at Asia Now fair.”

The article looks at how craft, nomadism and spirituality feature prominently in the region’s artistic practices, and are the focus on the art fair Asia Now, happening next week in Paris.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Art Curators as Public Intellectuals on The Markaz Review

By: Naima Morelli

09-10-2023

Central Asia, Interview, Middle East, News, Published

I wrote a piece for The Markaz Review, wondering whether curators who organize international exhibitions and develop books aren’t in fact public intellectuals. With interviews to @roseissaprojects @punkorientalism @farah.abushullaih

“Contrary to popular belief, it remains true that the specter of the intellectual still haunts the art world. The only thing that has changed is the mask they now hide behind — that of ‘curator.’ The current dislike of the word intellectual runs just as deep as our love for the word “curator.” ‘

Here is the link to the piece

Curatorial text: Inessa Kalabekova new solo at Fullerton Hotel

By: Naima Morelli

23-02-2023

Central Asia, News, Singapore, Visit

I have written the curatorial text for Kazakhstan-born, Singaporean artist Inessa Kalabekova, who has an upcoming show at the East Garden Gallery, of the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore, from March 1 to March 30, 2023.

I have visited the artist’s studio during my last trip to Singapore, and learned about her art practice that fuses collage and painting. Her new show is called “The Nature of Art”, and here the artist looks at nature through the eyes of mythology and poetry.

Naima Morelli

Published! Interview with Kazakh-Korean artist Alexander Ugay for Times of Central Asia

Published! Uzbekistan at the 2025 Venice Biennale at Times of Central Asia

Published! Q&A with Sara Raza director of CCA Tashkent

Published! Simurgh Self-Help by Slavs and Tatars’ on Times of Central Asia

Published! Central Asia in Paris for Times of Central Asia

Published! Interview with Kazakh Artist Gulnur Mukazhanova for Times of Central Asia

Published! Interview with Aspan Gallery on Times of Central Asia

Published! Kazakhstan’s Pavilion at the Venice Biennale for The Times of Central Asia

Curatorial text: Inessa Kalabekova’s Descendants of the Dragon in Singapore

Central Asia in the spotlight at Asia Now fair on The Financial Times

Published! Art Curators as Public Intellectuals on The Markaz Review

Curatorial text: Inessa Kalabekova new solo at Fullerton Hotel

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