That is the conclusion of the participants and guests of the exhibition of creative works of faculty and students of Westminster International University in Tashkent hosted by the Tashkent House of Photography.
The four halls put on display 56 paintings and 40 photographs. All works have been created in the art club of the University, which opened two years ago for the purpose of socialization of students, bringing them to the rich cultural heritage of the country, development of the creative potential of each. About twenty other clubs of the University, including drama art and singing, pursue these same goals.
The works performed at a high level, impressed all visitors of the exhibition, even the most experienced. At the opening of the exhibition the chairman of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan Akmal Nuritdinov noted that the works of students not studying the fine art are not inferior to the paintings created by novice professional artists. He also promised to provide the participants of the art club with any exhibition hall, if they continue to create, that is, undoubtedly, a good assessment of the work done by students.
“The art studio is not just a place to learn expressing through art, by round for acquisition of new friends. We spend time together outside the studio. We became like a family,” says second-year student Malika Mirzayeva. “I express my gratitude to the university for the support provided in the disclosure of the potential of each, in the organization of exhibitions. Of course, the great merit of our mentors Oybek and Khayrulla Kasimovs that we were able to exhibit our works to the wider public. The exhibition was first organized in our university. From this year we went beyond the university walls – our works were exhibited in Samarqand. At the exhibitions we met with well-known artists, including Muhammad Foziliy, Akmal Nuritdinov.”
Twice a week, the teachers at the Kamoliddin Behzod National Institute of Arts and Design conduct classes in the art club, but sometimes the classes go beyond the scheduled hours. In the other days the club attendees work independently.
“I admit, at first the idea to teach the art to the future businessmen and lawyers did not give much cause for optimism. But seeing a huge interest of students, I began to be inspired by the work. Most of the attendees of the club for the first time took up a brush and paint,” says one of the mentors in the art club, senior lecturer at the Kamoliddin Behzod National Institute of Arts and Design, Khayrulla Kasimov. “All work was based on the desire of students to paint. We moved away from the fundamental knowledge in the fine arts, relying more on the ideas and the feelings of students. Implementing their ideas, we taught them various techniques. During the two years of work with them we have understood that everyone has certain skills, just need to discover and develop them, and what we do now. Many paintings are fairly simple. For us the idea of the work was important.”
The classes in the art club continue. This means that amateur artists will keep amazing the art connoisseurs with their works.
