The exhibition includes works by the famous Kazakh artist of applied art Dariya Kasteeva and her students - students of the KazNUI College. Among them are works made in techniques such as tapestry, batik, mat weaving and felting.

“I think this exhibition is primarily a great incentive for my students. I want them to be inspired to work further and better. I myself presented about 20 of my works here. These are both tapestries and oil paintings. After all, I am the daughter of an artist and grew up in a creative environment. In general, I studied at a music school for 8 years, but then I still followed in my parents' footsteps. Decorative and applied art is not an easy task. First you need to draw, then choose the yarn. Previously, there was no such variety of materials as now. We dyed the threads ourselves. My works are mainly dedicated to women. I love building a composition around the image of a beautiful girl,” said Dariya Kasteeva.

The exhibition brought together more than 50 works by the teacher and her students. The works are united by national and oriental motifs. Bright and warm creations are presented with elements of national clothing, musical instruments, ornaments, images of apples and tulips.

“This is a celebration of beauty, art, tenderness and love. In the hall of our museum there are figures of batyrs. And behind them are presented paintings depicting beautiful girls, beautiful flowers. It feels like all the batyrs are guarding this youth, tenderness. An amazing combination, which just reflects the meaning that such a wonderful exhibition of Dariya Kasteeva and her wonderful students is taking place in the Military History Museum,” shared her emotions Aigul Tulembaeva, advisor to the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Dariya Kasteeva is a continuer of the creative traditions of a famous dynasty of artists. According to her, the sense of color was passed on to her from her father - a prominent representative of the national school of painting of Kazakhstan in the 20th century, Mukhit Kalimov, who for many years taught at the Kazakh National Academy of Arts. T. Zhurgenova and raised several generations of domestic masters. Dariya Mukhitovna's mother, Liza Kalimova, is a member of the Union of Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan and a representative of the rare profession of artist - restorer of decorative and applied arts. She works at the A. Kasteev State Museum of Arts and makes a huge contribution to the preservation of the material cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.

“Everyone knows that Dariya Mukhitovna belongs to the family of our great artist Kasteev, perhaps this also influenced her creative path. She successfully leads our youth. Decorative and applied art has a special meaning for Kazakhs. Some drawings even formed the basis of the Kazakh dance. It seems to me that now, when there are innovations and digitalization all around, it is important to preserve the heritage. I want our youth not to lose their identity and even in this century be able to leave behind the right to be Kazakhs - to look forward, towards the wind of freedom,” noted Aisulu Tani, director of the school and college of KazNUI.

For 15 years, Dariya Kasteeva has been teaching the basics of decorative and applied art to students of the KazNUI College. Over these years, she has produced many talented students who then continued their studies both in Kazakhstan and abroad. Among the participants of the exhibition is the young Nargiz Beisembekova. She dedicated her work to the inspiring feeling of freedom.

“I chose my painting in hot batik technique for the exhibition. You can see the motifs of our national flag. The bird is a symbol of independence, freedom. I am a student of Dariya Mukhitovna. I think she is a very talented tapestry maker. In terms of tapestry, she has the most experience in our college and I am happy to learn from such a strong teacher,” said Nargiz Beisembekova.

Decorative and applied art of Kazakhstan keeps centuries-old traditions and secrets. The exhibition became a vivid reflection of how, bit by bit, craftsmanship is passed down from generation to generation.