As part of our culture theme, we’re chatting with Abdukarim Nabiev from Uzbekistan. He won the Travel to Art Award in the Best Jeweler category in 2023.
How do you blend traditional and modern jewelry-making techniques?
I grew up surrounded by ancient ornaments, symbols, and stories passing down through our culture from generation to generation. These images are part of my DNA. In my work, I strive to preserve their power and meaning, expressing them with modern forms, technologies, and materials. The decoration should preserve memory and resonate in today’s context.
As a leader in the creative industry, what are your thoughts on integrating into the U.S. jewelry market?
The American market embraces new things while appreciating a deep cultural context. My mission is to introduce the American audience to Turkic aesthetics, which are complex and multi-layered yet very human. Through collaborations, exhibitions, and individual commissions, I aim to foster a dialogue between cultures, where my art serves as a bridge.
Which museum collections or exhibitions would you like to present your work in?
I dream of seeing my work in The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. These spaces inspire millions. I want people to see the richness of the Turkic world through my jewelry.
The spring issue of Travel to Art is dedicated to Turkic culture. In what ways is Turkic heritage reflected in your jewelry?
Each piece bears a trace of my culture. Patterns, shapes, and even the choice of stones all echo nomadic aesthetics and symbolism representing protection, connection with nature, and the spirits of ancestors. However, I don’t reproduce traditions literally; I engage with them. I take an ancient symbol and reimagine it in a modern form, making it relevant and understandable today.
If you could convey one message through your art, what would it be?
The Power of Roots. Through jewelry, I want to remind people that our history, culture, and memory are not burdens, but wings. They provide stability in an ever-changing world and inspire us to move forward with dignity.
Interview by Didihurov Oleksii
