Photos Source: www.2022.homofaber.com
Madina Kasimbaeva (born 1981, Tashkent) is a distinguished craftswoman and master of suzani embroidery. She has been a member of the Khunarmand Association of Folk Artists since 2007 and joined the Association of Artists, Art Critics, and Folk Artists of Uzbekistan in 2016. Over the course of her career, she has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious Shukhrat Medal.
Path
Madina Kasimbaeva developed an interest in embroidery from an early age. After completing school, she enrolled in an art lyceum to study the craft, later continuing her education at the P. Benkov Art College, where she specialized in fashion design. Even as a student, she began teaching – a passion she maintained throughout her career. Over the past 25 years, she has trained around 500 students, sharing the intricate techniques of this traditional Uzbek Art.
At the start of her creative journey, Kasimbaeva worked primarily in gold embroidery. Over time, she became captivated by the ancient and deeply symbolic art of suzani, which she has since made her specialty. She is considered the only embroiderer who continues the traditions of the Tashkent school of suzani.
Today, Madina Kasimbaeva runs her own brand, Suzani by Kasimbaeva, and participates in numerous national and international events. Highlights include:
- Exhibitions and craft fairs in Uzbekistan (Craft Fair Uzbekistan) and abroad – in the USA (Santa Fe), England (London), Australia (Brisbane), and India (Jaipur). She is currently the only Uzbek designer whose works are part of the permanent collection of the British Museum.
- Projects organized by the Uzbekistan Culture and Arts Development Fund, including participation in the 2024 Venice Biennale and preparations for the upcoming Bukhara Biennale in autumn 2025.
- Collaborations with prominent designers and art experts – such as the 2021 fashion show inspired by Uzbek art traditions, held with SAADI brand designer Diora Usmanova; and solo exhibitions with art historian Binafsha Nodir in Tashkent (2015, 2016, 2018, 2023) and Riga (2024).
In interviews, Madina Kasimbaeva has often noted that her path to international recognition was far from easy. She attributes her success to constant dedication and genuine love for her craft.
Style
Embroidery of Uzbekistan encompasses several local traditions, including those of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Fergana, Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya, and Shakhrisabz, each with its own regional variations.
Among the most captivating yet technically demanding is the Tashkent style, known as palak (meaning “sky”). Characterized by dense stitching and motifs rooted in cosmological and Zoroastrian symbolism, this style was considered lost at the start of the 21st century. However, Madina Kasimbaeva, working with art historian Binafsha Nodir, succeeded in reviving it – an achievement widely regarded as one of her most important.
Kasimbaeva’s most remarkable work in the Tashkent tradition is a monumental palak measuring approximately 8 by 5.5 meters. Created over 3.5 years with the help of 15 colleagues, it is recognized as the world’s largest suzani. Since 2023, it has been exhibited in cities including Tashkent, Riga, and Brisbane, astonishing visitors with its size, beauty, and fine craftsmanship.
In addition to mastering the Tashkent style, Madina Kasimbaeva works in other Uzbek embroidery traditions. In each piece, she strives to preserve the distinctive character of the local style while adding her own artistic signature.
Colors and Fabrics
Madina Kasimbaeva pays close attention to her color palette. While her designs are often based on traditional ornaments, she frequently alters the color schemes, giving her works a distinctive, contemporary feel.
All the threads she uses are hand-dyed with natural pigments such as onion skin, indigo, and pomegranate. This method preserves the richness of the colors, which remain vibrant for many years.
Fabrics are just as essential to her process. Kasimbaeva insists on using only high-quality Uzbek textiles. “Otherwise,” she explains, “the fabric may disintegrate over time, and only the embroidery will remain. I’ve seen this in ancient pieces in museum collections”.
Workshop and Showroom
Madina Kasimbaeva has established her showroom and personal brand, Suzani by Kasimbaeva, in Tashkent. Located in the city’s historic old town near Chorsu, the space reflects both her heritage and her vision.
Her spacious workshop features a wide range of interior décor and clothing items. Among the most sought-after are her embroidered women’s chapanas. In designing them, Kasimbaeva blends traditional Uzbek aesthetics with modern design elements.
These chapanas, which vividly express the richness and artistry of Uzbek craftsmanship, have become wardrobe staples for many high-profile figures in Uzbekistan and abroad. Notable clients include Saida Mirziyoyeva, politician and daughter of the President of Uzbekistan, her sister Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva, Chairwoman of the Uzbekistan Culture and Arts Development Fund Gayane Umerova, and American designer Iris Apfel.