It is amazing when something new in the art world is unearthed that evolves the idea of a collection to something more than a mass of popular works, but rather a database of history, perfectly preserved within the confines of the space it inhabits. It is even better when these great catalysts are lying in the most inconspicuous of places.
The Karakalpak Museum, also known as the Nukus Museum, is home to the world's second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art, located in rural Nukus, Uzbekistan. It wasn’t until 1985 that this extensive collection, amassed between 1950 and1985 by Igor Savitsky, was acknowledged for fear of Soviet attack and suppression. Unsurprisingly, in the large world of art the collection was still largely unknown until Uzbekistan’s independence in 1991 when the cities one ruled by an iron fist were finally accessible to the outside world.
The Karakalpak Museum, also known as the Nukus Museum, is home to the world's second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art, located in rural Nukus, Uzbekistan. It wasn’t until 1985 that this extensive collection, amassed between 1950 and1985 by Igor Savitsky, was acknowledged for fear of Soviet attack and suppression. Unsurprisingly, in the large world of art the collection was still largely unknown until Uzbekistan’s independence in 1991 when the cities one ruled by an iron fist were finally accessible to the outside world.
Still-life with a pink tea-pot
Russian avant-garde
Bull
Uzbekistan Avant-Garde Artist
This collection is of great importance to the art world as it contains native folk art, jewelry, costumes, and textiles that Savitsky began acquiring after an archaeological dig brought him to Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan in the 1950’s. As the Soviet Union sought out and destroyed Russian avant guard and Central Asian artworks throughout the 1950’s and 60’s, Savitsky successfully safeguarded thousands works in his personal collection, which he established as a museum in 1966.
Through the collection, natives and foreigners alike have been able to witness Russian avant-garde art, once though to be mostly destroyed, displayed alongside Socialist Realism art. Russian avant-garde was forbidden by the Soviet Union in favor for Socialist Realism which was praised by the government for its images venerating the poor. The collection bears witness to the effects the Soviet Union had over all aspects of life in Eurasia and the artistic revolutions that continued under the radar through the early 20th century.
Through the collection, natives and foreigners alike have been able to witness Russian avant-garde art, once though to be mostly destroyed, displayed alongside Socialist Realism art. Russian avant-garde was forbidden by the Soviet Union in favor for Socialist Realism which was praised by the government for its images venerating the poor. The collection bears witness to the effects the Soviet Union had over all aspects of life in Eurasia and the artistic revolutions that continued under the radar through the early 20th century.
Although most will not be able to visit this exceptional museum in Uzbekistan, they have a wonderful online collection and database available for with detail information about the art and artists from Savitsky's collection.
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