Erkebu Djumagulova

Kyrgyzstan

Year(s) attended: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

Felt Work and Embroidery

Almost every culture around the world tells the stories of its people through handmade dolls elaborately clothed in the traditional dress of the region.  Erkebu Djumagulova is a textile artist from the capital city of Bishtek, Kyrgyzstan, who is a master at capturing the expressions and customs of the villagers of her native Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia through the intricately dressed dolls she makes from embroidered felt wool, silk and yarn. Drawn to the traditional Kyrgyz felt arts since childhood, Erkebu followed her dreams all the way to professional art college where she carefully researched and learned the intricate arts of felt making from local folk artists around the country.  Today, her repertoire includes traditional clothes and decorated household items in addition to the felt dolls for which she is most well known.

Her work has won numerous awards internationally, including the UNESCO Award of Excellence in 2004, 2005 and 2007.