ASPAN GALLERY TOGETHER WITH THE STEPPE IS LAUNCHING AN ANNUAL PRIZE FOR YOUNG ARTISTS - "B BUBIKANOVA ART PRIZE"

In 2023, the remarkable Kazakh contemporary artist Bakhyt Bubikanova who was one of the brightest personas on the Central Asian art scene passed away. During the last few years of her life Bakhyt was battling a disease and despite various health challenges, she continued working, leaving behind performances, installations, paintings, photo projects, videos, and an infinite number of warm memories of her. Her presence resonated deeply with everyone she encountered with, gaining her a strong following among younger artists.

Sadly, the Great Artist B. Bubikanova, as she often referred to herself, is no longer with us, but the memory of her should live on! As an artist, Bakha always looked forward and often collaborated with young artists. Therefore, Aspan Gallery together with STEPPE are launching an annual competition for young artists in memory of Bakhyt Bubikanova.

The competition will be held via an open call. Applications will be open to all artists aged between 18 and 45, who are either citizens or residents of Central Asia. Each artist or artist collective can submit up to three works in any medium by completing an application form at aspangallery.com. An independent jury will choose the finalists, whose works best resonate with Bakhyt’s art.

All shortlisted works will be exhibited at Aspan Gallery finalists’ exhibition.Among the shortlisted works, a selection committee from the A. Kasteev State Museum of Arts will choose one project to enter the museum's collection. The author of the selected work will receive a prize of 1 000 000 tenge.

Thus, the winner’s artwork will become part of the collection of Kazakhstan's largest state art museum, expanding the national collection of contemporary art, the author of the work will receive a money prize, and the remaining finalists will have the opportunity to exhibit their works in a group show at Aspan Gallery.

At each stage, online portal STEPPE will cover the competition extensively, producing content for its website and social media about each of the finalists.

Competition Rules:

• Artists aged 18 to 45, who are citizens or residents of Central Asia, are eligible to participate.
• Each participant may submit only one application during the application period, and each application may include up to three works or projects.
• Works are accepted in any technique: painting, graphics, sculpture, installation, new media, video art, street art, performance, photography, etc.
• Due to museum storage considerations, projects containing organic materials that may decompose will not be considered.
• Applications must include descriptions and images of completed works or drawings/sketches for projects in the process of creation.

Partners of the Project: