ASPAN GALLERY, IN COLLABORATION WITH STEPPE, PRESENTS THE SECOND ANNUAL CONTEMPORARY ART COMPETITION NAMED AFTER BAKHA BUBIKANOVA

Aspan Gallery proudly announces the second edition of the B. Bubikanova Art Prize, continuing its mission to support and promote contemporary artists from Central Asia.

Artists aged 18 to 45 who are citizens or residents of Central Asia are invited to participate via an Open Call. Each individual or collective may submit up to three works in any medium by completing the online application form before March 16, 2025.

An independent jury, composed of artists and curators, will select 10 artworks that best reflect the spirit of Bakhyt Bubikanova’s art and align with this year’s theme. The works of shortlisted artists will be showcased in an exhibition at Aspan Gallery in April 2025.

Out of shortlisted artworks, one work will be selected by the Selection Committee from the Curatorial Department of the A. Kasteyev State Museum of Arts to become part of the museum’s permanent collection. The winner will receive a 1,000,000 tenge award from Aspan Gallery.

2025 Theme: "Unveiling Boundaries: Power, Identity and Body"

This year’s theme explores the notions of corporeality, identity, and social structures—central themes in Bakhyt Bubikanova’s work. Her art, spanning performance, painting, installation, and video, served as a powerful commentary on gender, femininity, and power dynamics.

Participants are encouraged to explore topics such as:

  • Deconstructing gender roles and expectations
  • The personal and political aspects of power structures
  • The human body as a symbol of vulnerability and resistance
  • The intersection of individual identity and social narratives
  • The role of physicality and performance in overcoming stereotypes
  • Other interpretations of the theme are welcome

Jury Panel:

Yuliya Sorokina – PhD, independent curator (Аlmaty)

Ulan Djaparov – artist (Bishkek)

Solvita Krese – director of the Latvian Center for Contemporary Art (Riga)

Bjorn Geldof – director of the PinchukArtCentre (Kiev)

Application Process:

  • Participants must be 18 to 45 years old and citizens or residents of Central Asian countries.
  • Each applicant may submit one application with up to three completed or in-progress works.
  • Works in any medium are accepted, including painting, sculpture, installation, new media, video art, street art, performance, and photography.
  • Due to museum storage requirements, works incorporating organic materials prone to decay cannot be accepted.
  • Applications must include descriptions and images of completed works or sketches for in-progress projects.



Key Dates:

1. Submission deadline: March 16, 2025

2. Shortlist Announcement: March 31, 2025

3. Exhibition Opening at Aspan Gallery: April 22, 2025

4. Finissage & Winner Announcement: The Selection Committee of the A. Kasteyev Museum of Arts will announce the winner on the last day of the exhibition.

Project Partners:





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