The Uzbekistan State Museum of Fine Arts (NBU) annually holds a youth exhibition titled 'CTRL+ART,' which is being celebrated for the fourth consecutive year. The event gathers authors at various stages of creative development—from beginners to those who have already formed a unique artistic style. More than 60 artists participated in the current exhibition, presenting over 250 works covering painting, graphics, sculpture, installations, and collages.
The exhibition curator, art historian Nuriddin Rasulov, emphasized that the project's main mission remains the same: to introduce the public to the new generation of Uzbek artists and provide the authors themselves with a platform for self-presentation. The name 'CTRL+ART' refers to the Ctrl key on a computer, and the organizers conceived this exhibition as a starting point for young talents, facilitating their advancement to a higher professional level and participation in international projects.
Unlike previous years when the exhibition primarily featured students from art universities, this year a significant portion was occupied by independent authors who already possess their own style. A separate hall was allocated for students from specialized institutes, while the remaining space was given to independent artists. Nuriddin Rasulov noted that one cannot judge an author solely by their place of study, as talent and personal touch are visible in the works regardless of education.
The selection process involved several stages, starting with the submission of work photographs, after which the curator formed the exhibition, striving to give each hall a special atmosphere and internal logic. Rasulov mentioned that different halls feature portraits, landscapes, or works evoking a festive mood, as well as spaces dedicated to experimental research. The organizers opted against a single theme, allowing the artists to present their own projects. As a result, the exhibition features works addressing themes of love, family, national identity, ecology, and the search for a place in the modern world.
Changes occurred in the exhibition structure: if painting previously dominated, visitors can now see about 30 sculptures by Azamat Khatamov, Giyoshjon Boltabayev, Gulrukh Gaffurbekova, Artur Rajabov, Ulmas Yakubov, and others. Some artists were allocated personal exhibition halls. Nuriddin Rasulov clarified that the selection considered not so much the volume of work as its artistic level and the integrity of the author's series. He added that there is a growing confidence among participants, which is reflected in their new works.
A separate hall showcases the series 'Shadow of Memory' by Isomiddin Eshonkulov, which explores anxiety before the unknown through the image of a shadow visible in paintings and installations. The project 'Dreams Under the Veil' by Anna Grigoryants and Alexandra Volodina is dedicated to the views of Uzbek women on marriage and family, based on anonymous stories and includes the installation 'Inner Garden.' Rushana Alimova presented the series 'Fusion' and the installation 'How Rivers Become Clouds,' reflecting on human inner transformations. Separate spaces were given to Sanjar Jabbarov, Yunus Farmonov, Dilbek Tukhtakulov, and Nuriddin Rasulov himself, while Bekzod Karimov, Abdulaziz Sharipov, and Anvar Chorikulov presented a joint exhibition. Video clips about the creation of works and the biographies of the authors are displayed in a special hall.
The exhibition runs until July 31st. Visitors can come from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (entry closes at 5:30 PM); admission is paid.
