Abdulaziz Muminovich Irmatov

Uzbekistan

Year(s) attended: 2010

Carving (Wood)

Wood carving in the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan takes its traditional clues from the folk art of the region in the creation of wood carved ceilings, pillars, doors, beds, infant cradles, and the decorative pieces used in everyday life, including wooden plates.

A specialty of the region found in most Uzbek homes is a carved wooden sofa where locals sleep and rest.

Abdulaziz first processes the wood in a special solution to guarantee its integrity. The wood he uses comes from various parts of Uzbekistan and includes walnut, mulberry, linden and birch. It is dried prior to the carving process.

He then carves his designs freehand into the wood. Following the carving process, the wood is then glued and varnished with lacquer.

Irmatov was born and trained in Tashkent, a city located on one of the old Silk Roads that crisscrossed the region. He later taught at Abdukassim Medressah. In addition, his works have been exhibited in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Japan.