Forty-year-old Saidrahman Sharipov, a master of traditional Kyrgyz embroidery, has dedicated the last 30 years to preserving this intricate art form. Born into a family of artisans, Sharipov transformed a hobby he began at age eight into a lifelong profession, and he now represents his country at international exhibitions. In 1997, he and his family migrated to Kyrgyzstan from Tajikistan’s Jerge-Tal region, an area home to a large Kyrgyz community.
A Childhood Bound by Threads
“I have been interested in embroidery since childhood,” Sharipov recalled. “I come from a family of artisans. My father was a woodworker, while my mother was an embroidery master. Since childhood, I would watch my mother and sisters embroider and became curious about it.”
He explained that whenever they stepped away to eat, he would eagerly take their place. “They would get angry with me when they came back. I first held a needle and thread in my hands when I was eight,” he said.
Initially, Sharipov dreamed of becoming a painter. “I was good at drawing, but life was difficult at the time. Since we did not have pencils or paper, I would draw on the ground, on walls—anywhere I could draw. In 1997, I went to school in Kyrgyzstan, where we had migrated because of the civil war in Tajikistan. I won first place in the national drawing olympiad. Through painting, I also developed my skills in embroidery.”
His very first completed work was a floral design stitched onto a pillow. “When my elder sister got married, my mother and my other sisters made and embroidered pillows for her. I embroidered flowers and patterns on the pillow,” he remembered.
Overcoming Gender Stereotypes
For Sharipov, his craft goes far beyond aesthetics. “I consider embroidery the nourishment of my soul,” he explained. “Today, embroidery provides my livelihood, gives me value and recognition, and helps people know me. Through embroidery, I express my view of the world.”
However, his path was not without resistance. In his hometown, embroidery was strictly regarded as women’s work, making it socially unacceptable for a man to take up the needle.
“It was not easy to stand against and overcome this stereotype,” he admitted. Yet, his persistence eventually paid off. “Over the past five or six years—after I began sharing my works on social media, working with other artists, participating in international exhibitions, and selling some of my works at good prices—my relatives also began to accept my interest in and work in embroidery.”
Taking Kyrgyz Art to the Global Stage
Sharipov’s dedication has propelled him to international prominence. Two years ago, he traveled to South Korea to receive specialized training, and his works have since been displayed twice at the United Nations.
“It is not easy to participate in exhibitions on platforms such as the UN,” he noted. “The work needs to be of very high quality, and its concept and content need to be profound.”
In 2024, his piece titled “Öz” (Essence)—embroidered with wool thread onto a four-meter-long felt canvas—was featured in an exhibition in New York focusing on the cultures of indigenous peoples from Africa and Asia.
“Every people has its own essence rooted in its culture and ancient heritage,” he said. “People also have talents, abilities, and potential hidden within their own essence. That is why this subject is a very important and broad one for me.”
He added, “We also participated in a renowned exhibition held in South Korea last year. Our works are currently being exhibited at an exhibition in Mongolia.”
Sharipov frequently uses his medium to address contemporary social issues. One piece, “Munasa,” was directly inspired by an online argument.
“I saw people arguing with each other about an issue on Facebook,” he explained. Using traditional ‘Camel’s Foot’ motifs, which depict camels gathering in a circle to drink water, the artwork questions why people struggle to find common ground. “I created this work after being influenced by those arguments.”
Another piece, “Uyutku” (Yeast), underscores the importance of unity. “The word ‘Maya’ has a very deep meaning in Kyrgyz philosophy. When yeast is added to milk, it turns into ayran. It also carries the meaning that people can come together around a common idea,” he said, noting that he sourced historic motifs from books and utilized two traditional embroidery techniques for the piece.
In “Alaman Ulak” or “Kok Boru” (Buzkashi), Sharipov relies on motifs to tell a story rather than explicit figures. “On one side, Alaman Ulak or Kok Boru is being played. At the bottom of the picture, silhouettes of people supporting the game can be seen, while images of traditional Kyrgyz tents complete the composition on the other side.”
Sharipov firmly believes in maintaining the integrity of traditional methods, viewing his craft as an irreplaceable cultural code that does not require modern shortcuts.
“The handicraft I create can be described as a cultural code. Artificial intelligence cannot create this. It comes from within a person,” he emphasized. “It is an art that has been passed down from our ancient ancestors. Some people need to preserve the arts inherited from our ancestors and pass them on to future generations.”
While he respects tradition, he also sees room for evolution. “People created works by combining what they saw in nature, what they wished for, and how they interpreted things according to the regions where they lived. Traditional motifs will continue to remain traditional. At the same time, they can continue to be interpreted in modern ways in line with the times and people’s thoughts without losing their traditional character.”
His ultimate goal, he noted, is to elevate these ancient motifs to the level of fine art and introduce them to the rest of the world.
Passing the Heritage to Future Generations
Today, Sharipov is dedicated to teaching the next generation. As interest in the craft grows, he has instructed over 100 students in his embroidery courses.
“Most of those interested are women. Some of them work in handicrafts, while others learn it as a hobby,” he shared. “My goal is to preserve and promote the ancient heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. At the same time, I want to ensure that this ancient heritage, which reflects the cultural code of the people, is not forgotten and is passed on to future generations.”
Beyond the physical skill, Sharipov believes the practice offers profound mental benefits. “Embroidery teaches people patience, helps them organize their thoughts, and develops discipline, precision, and aesthetic thinking. While embroidering, some thoughts become clearer and new ideas emerge.”