Uzbek ceramist Shokhrukh Rahimov collaborated with Greek master Yannis Zois to create a monumental totem inspired by the forms of Buddhist prayer cylinders. The totem, made of porcelain, African wood, and covered in 22-carat gold, will be showcased during the Craft Week at Cromwell Place in London from May 14 to 19. This project is a fusion of Islamic architecture and ancient Greek traditions, showcasing the parallels between Eastern and Western cultures.
Shokhrukh Rahimov, a representative of a well-known family of ceramists, was accepted into the prestigious Homo Faber Fellowship program. He underwent training in Portugal and Greece. Reflecting on his experience, Rahimov mentioned, "Over the course of six months, thanks to the unique experience of participating in the Homo Faber Fellowship program, the Greek master Yannis Zois and I worked extensively and experimented, including with materials I had not worked with before - porcelain and gold. The techniques were also different from what I was accustomed to - we worked with high firing temperatures."
Gayane Umerova, the Chairperson of the Foundation for the Development of Culture and Art, expressed confidence that the collaboration between the foundations would contribute to the inclusion of Uzbek craft practices in the global cultural space.
In April 2023, the "Uzbek Chapter" was added to the Homo Faber Guide, a well-known online platform created by the Michelangelo Foundation, featuring 11 masters representing traditional crafts of Uzbekistan.
