Uma Gamzatova

Your works are deeply connected to Dagestan and ancient Tabasaran mythology. What does this cultural heritage mean to you personally?

For me, it is first and foremost a way of showing respect for the culture of my native region. Dagestan is a region with an incredibly rich and diverse cultural heritage, where each ethnic group has its own history, traditions, and language. I am very interested in studying ancient mythology, legends, and traditions, because through them it is possible to better understand the worldview of our ancestors, their ideas about nature, good and evil, and the structure of the world.

Why did you choose the bull as one of the central images in this series?

According to the mythological story “Uьru yits” (“The Red Bull”), in Tabasaran mythology the Earth rests on the back of the Red Bull — a deity of the underworld. When people on Earth begin to behave violently or lawlessly, the Red Bull becomes angry with them, moves its ear or a single hair, and an earthquake occurs on Earth. This story preserves the archaic beliefs of the Tabasaran people about the origin of the Earth and its place in the universe.

Uma Gamzatova | Tabasaran Bull Series | 2025

How do you usually work with ancient symbols: do you study them historically first, or do you approach them more intuitively?

Before using any symbol or ornament, I try to understand its origin, meaning, and place within the culture. It is important to me that each element is not merely decorative, but carries a certain meaning. In the traditional culture of Dagestan, including Tabasaran culture, almost every ornament has its own symbolism.

Your palette is built on strong contrasts, especially red and blue. What emotional or symbolic meaning do these colors have for you?

The choice of red and blue was deliberate. Through color, I wanted to convey a sense of strength, power, and inner tension. This is a great energy, and great energy requires a powerful color and a lot of space, which is why I do not use small canvases. Strong contrast also creates a strong impression and evokes an emotional response.

In art, the color red traditionally symbolizes energy, strength, passion, courage, and struggle. Blue creates depth. From the perspective of color psychology, it helps with concentration. Against a blue background, red becomes even more expressive, creating a powerful visual contrast.

For me, this is not simply a combination of two beautiful colors. It is a dialogue between two states: strength and calmness, energy and depth.

Uma Gamzatova | Tabasaran Bull Series | 2025

How do you balance respect for tradition with a contemporary artistic interpretation?

It is simple. I do not seek to change traditions — my goal is to show that they can sound contemporary while remaining true to their roots.

Uma Gamzatova | Tabasaran Bull Series | 2025

Your images feel both ancient and modern. How important is this connection between past and present in your practice?

For me, the connection between the past and the present is extremely important. Through a contemporary artistic language, new forms, and color solutions, I try to give ancient legends a new voice. For me, this is a kind of dialogue between the past and the present.

Uma Gamzatova | Tabasaran Bull Series | 2025

What do you want viewers to feel when they encounter your work?

I would like viewers first of all to feel energy — the inner strength that exists both in the works themselves and in every person. If my works awaken emotions, interest in my native region, and a sense of inner strength, then they have fulfilled their purpose.