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The Zhubanov Dynasty: The Warmth of Tradition in Stone and Felt
At the Tian Shan Hotel gallery, the "Warmth Lives Here" exhibition showcases the works of the Zhubanov family—Sanjar Zhubanov and his daughter Zhanel. Stone and felt stand at the center of their art: symbols of nomadic life that reflect the philosophy of nomads, their connection with nature, and their search for harmony. Through his stone engravings, Sanjar carries forward the legacy of ancient artists who etched petroglyphs thousands of years ago. Meanwhile, Zhanel dives into the art of felt felting, demonstrating how this ancient material can become a medium for expressing contemporary thoughts and emotions.
Sanjar Zhubanov, inspired by the legacy of his ancestors and the history of Kazakh nomads, creates unique engravings on stone. "In the silence of the steppe's beauty, nature itself allows you to enter history without words," Sanjar shares. He draws inspiration from the petroglyphs left by nomads, discovering his own answers to what drove those ancient artists. Sanjar works with stones bearing a desert varnish—a patina formed over thousands of years under the sun's glare—and hand-carves his designs into them. This act of creation helps him identify with the Bronze Age artist who etched hunting scenes into rock faces long ago.
A story that holds particular power centers on a stone struck and split by lightning on the Zhubanov ancestral lands, upon which his Ata (grandfather) had once carved their family tamga (tribal emblem). Sanjar restored this symbol, uncovering an even deeper bond with his ancient roots.
A story that holds particular power centers on a stone struck and split by lightning on the Zhubanov ancestral lands, upon which his Ata (grandfather) had once carved their family tamga (tribal emblem). Sanjar restored this symbol, uncovering an even deeper bond with his ancient roots.
Zhanel Zhubanova holds a master’s degree in textile arts, with felt serving as the core subject of her research in France. Her devotion to Kazakh traditions and art is no coincidence: her grandfather, Akrap Zhubanov, made immense contributions to preserving and advancing Kazakh decorative and applied arts. It was he who worked to revive traditional crafts—including artistic weaving, metalwork, and ceramics—while compiling a unique library dedicated to ornaments, petroglyphs, and art history.
Previously known to the public as a painter, Zhanel surprised visitors at this exhibition with her felt compositions. "I have felt a connection to felt since childhood," Zhanel shares. Vivid memories remain of her grandmother following traditional remedies—rubbing her feet with mutton fat and wrapping her in wool garments to cure a cold. The warmth given by these textiles stayed with her forever, inspiring her to create her own felt art.
Zhanel emphasizes that felt is not merely a utilitarian material, but a profound medium for artistic expression. Her exhibition collection was created over nine months while she was expecting her child. Inspired by the sacred art of petroglyphs, Zhanel created a series of felt wall panels depicting animals and scenes that reflect the philosophy of steppe existence. "I felted almost in a single breath," she explains, "which is why everything turned out so alive, dynamic, and unique."
Sanjar and Zhanel continue their family's heritage, bringing together the arts of stone and felt within a single exhibition. The symbiosis of soft felt and hard stone, as Zhanel notes, embodies the philosophy of the Kazakh nomadic worldview—much like the harmony of yin and yang.
Previously known to the public as a painter, Zhanel surprised visitors at this exhibition with her felt compositions. "I have felt a connection to felt since childhood," Zhanel shares. Vivid memories remain of her grandmother following traditional remedies—rubbing her feet with mutton fat and wrapping her in wool garments to cure a cold. The warmth given by these textiles stayed with her forever, inspiring her to create her own felt art.
Zhanel emphasizes that felt is not merely a utilitarian material, but a profound medium for artistic expression. Her exhibition collection was created over nine months while she was expecting her child. Inspired by the sacred art of petroglyphs, Zhanel created a series of felt wall panels depicting animals and scenes that reflect the philosophy of steppe existence. "I felted almost in a single breath," she explains, "which is why everything turned out so alive, dynamic, and unique."
Sanjar and Zhanel continue their family's heritage, bringing together the arts of stone and felt within a single exhibition. The symbiosis of soft felt and hard stone, as Zhanel notes, embodies the philosophy of the Kazakh nomadic worldview—much like the harmony of yin and yang.
The Zhubanov family's "Warmth Lives Here" exhibition is not merely a display of artwork, but a profound symbol of continuity, connection with nature, and historical heritage. "I am continuing my grandfather's traditions," says Zhanel, emphasizing the vital importance of preserving cultural legacy. Within just one week, the exhibition gathered widespread acclaim, with nearly all displayed works being acquired by collectors.