Aigana Gali British, b. 1980
ALAKAI I, 2022
acrylic and oil on canvas
190 x 140 cm
Further images
Born on the ancient crossing of the Great Silk Road in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Aigana Gali’s formative years were spent in the wild, open cradle of the Eurasian Steppe. This rich...
Born on the ancient crossing of the Great Silk Road in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Aigana Gali’s formative years were spent in the wild, open cradle of the Eurasian Steppe. This rich cultural heritage is influential in her work, which she brings to life through the universal language of colour and form. Gali’s paintings are invested with subtle historical or mythical references; luminous and beguiling, they explore the mysterious forces - ancient wisdom, nature’s cycles and cosmic order - that shape our lives.
‘ALAKAI I’ is part of the series ‘Tengri: Star Seed’. The collection explores the interplay of art and spirituality, addressing how we experience nature and find our place in the world. Tengri is an ancient, silent religion in which we are to relate the Self to nature and understand we are a part of it. Each work begins from a specific point in the canvas, from which the light and shapes unfold in perfect geometric order. ‘ALAKAI I’ reflects the delicate balance between fragility and resilience, unfolding into forms reminiscent of something both organic and otherworldly - a seed from a distant galaxy about to burst into life. The painting taps into the unseen dimensions of life, while its visual language evokes the fantastical imagery of 1960s sci-fi - a story of possibility, transformation, and the mysterious nature of creation.
While not Surrealist in style, Gali’s work is deeply Surreal in its essence: “The process is mystical and untethered, relying on an inner logic that defies reason but feels intrinsically true. Surrealism’s gift is its ability to elevate us, to open a portal into dimensions beyond our grasp. My work strives to do the same - creating spaces of wonder, where symbols and myths guide the viewer into the subconscious.” Gali’s practice is in fact deeply intuitive, having evolved from what used to be a personal exploration to a universal expression of raw, unfiltered impulses.
At the heart of Gali’s work is a desire to convey fleeting glimpses of something greater - premonitions of light, beauty, and the intangible. Each piece acts as a window into the unseen, offering viewers a sense of connection to the sublime. By inviting the viewer to engage with these sensations, the artist’s work becomes a bridge between the known and the ineffable, a reflection of her own search for deeper truths. “Within the context of the show, I see the work as part of an ongoing conversation. It bridges the mythic and the cosmic, honouring Carrington’s legacy while pushing those themes into a contemporary dialogue about transformation and wonder.”
Aigana Gali (b. 1980, Kazakhstan, British) holds a BA Fine Art, Kazakh Leading Academy of Art and Architecture (2001- 2005), an MA from the Institute Of Literature and Art, Academy of Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2005 - 2007) and an MA from Sotheby's Institute of Art (2010 - 2011). Gali has exhibited internationally in the USA, Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East, and has works in private and public collections around the world.
‘ALAKAI I’ is part of the series ‘Tengri: Star Seed’. The collection explores the interplay of art and spirituality, addressing how we experience nature and find our place in the world. Tengri is an ancient, silent religion in which we are to relate the Self to nature and understand we are a part of it. Each work begins from a specific point in the canvas, from which the light and shapes unfold in perfect geometric order. ‘ALAKAI I’ reflects the delicate balance between fragility and resilience, unfolding into forms reminiscent of something both organic and otherworldly - a seed from a distant galaxy about to burst into life. The painting taps into the unseen dimensions of life, while its visual language evokes the fantastical imagery of 1960s sci-fi - a story of possibility, transformation, and the mysterious nature of creation.
While not Surrealist in style, Gali’s work is deeply Surreal in its essence: “The process is mystical and untethered, relying on an inner logic that defies reason but feels intrinsically true. Surrealism’s gift is its ability to elevate us, to open a portal into dimensions beyond our grasp. My work strives to do the same - creating spaces of wonder, where symbols and myths guide the viewer into the subconscious.” Gali’s practice is in fact deeply intuitive, having evolved from what used to be a personal exploration to a universal expression of raw, unfiltered impulses.
At the heart of Gali’s work is a desire to convey fleeting glimpses of something greater - premonitions of light, beauty, and the intangible. Each piece acts as a window into the unseen, offering viewers a sense of connection to the sublime. By inviting the viewer to engage with these sensations, the artist’s work becomes a bridge between the known and the ineffable, a reflection of her own search for deeper truths. “Within the context of the show, I see the work as part of an ongoing conversation. It bridges the mythic and the cosmic, honouring Carrington’s legacy while pushing those themes into a contemporary dialogue about transformation and wonder.”
Aigana Gali (b. 1980, Kazakhstan, British) holds a BA Fine Art, Kazakh Leading Academy of Art and Architecture (2001- 2005), an MA from the Institute Of Literature and Art, Academy of Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2005 - 2007) and an MA from Sotheby's Institute of Art (2010 - 2011). Gali has exhibited internationally in the USA, Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East, and has works in private and public collections around the world.