MOSCOW, November 2. /Dunyo IA/. An exhibition of works by Uzbek and Russian artists entitled “Art Caravan: Dialogue of Cultures” was held at the Embassy of Uzbekistan, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Project is dedicated to exploring and reinterpreting the centuries-old ties between Russia and Uzbekistan, as well as the traditions of the Turkestan School of Painting. Exhibition brought together works by artists from both countries, showcasing the interaction between artistic traditions and contemporary art.

Concept of the exhibition is built around the metaphor of a caravan: a journey through time, space and artistic languages, where European modernism meets Eastern miniature painting. Works reflect the mutual influence of the two traditions: the Russian plein-air school merges with the decorative richness of the East, European modernism with the heritage of miniature painting, while the experience of past generations takes on a contemporary expression. Uzbekistan itself, with its architecture, ancient cities, distinctive colours and textures, also served as a source of inspiration for the participants.

Previous exhibitions have also been held as part of the project. In September 2026, an exhibition took place at the Vykhino Gallery, while from October 21st to 25th, Zurab Tsereteli Art Gallery hosted a group exhibition of paintings and graphic works, including pieces created during plein-air sessions in Khiva. In addition to exhibitions, the project features "roundtable" discussions, academic conferences and plein-air sessions.

Project’s director and organiser, artist Irina Kovalenko, was born in Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya Region and lived in Kashkadarya Region. “I very much wanted to show the places I know and love from different perspectives and to present different regions”, she said.

According to her, project was launched in 2022 with the first plein-air sessions in Uzbekistan. Since then, artists from Russia have been visiting the country every spring and autumn, discovering it for themselves and subsequently presenting their works at exhibitions in Uzbekistan and Russia. Recently, Vykhino Gallery hosted an exhibition for an entire month, featuring more than a hundred works from various regions of Uzbekistan. Exhibitions have also been held in Kaluga, Kolomna and at the Russian Academy of Arts, where Uzbekistan was presented “as seen through the eyes of artists".

As Irina Kovalenko noted, joint exhibitions, plein-air sessions and round-table discussions with art historians and local history experts create “threads from heart to heart". “We are very glad to contribute to the development of our friendship", she concluded.