Photo-painting – a drawing on the film

Photopainting is a unique form of creativity that combines elements of photography and painting into a single cohesive work of art. This is precisely the art that the artist couple surprised us with at their photo exhibition titled Komolon.

The artist couple Daima Rakhmanbekova and Maksim Vardanyan have had a challenging journey in their creative development, each with their own story in the arts despite their different styles. Both were born in Tashkent and have shared 34 years of life, two daughters, and dozens of joint and individual exhibitions. Their artistic journey began in Uzbekistan, moved through Russia and Europe, and after 20 years of working in France, the artists returned to Tashkent. Here, they bought a house in one of the oldest mahallas of the capital, Komolon, where they continue to create an atmosphere of delicate Eastern depth.

Collaborations with fashion houses Kenzo and Ventilo, working with photographer Paolo Roversi in a creative collective, exhibitions in galleries in France, Belgium, the USA, the UK, and Japan. Their works are also in private collections worldwide, including those of John Galliano, Paolo Roversi, Kenzo Takada, and Armando Ventilo.

Swapping brushes and canvases for lenses and paper, Daima Rakhmanbekova and Maksim Vardanyan see this new means of expression as merely another familiar tool. 

Their photographs still carry the imprint of painting techniques, though they now give way to the photographic language. Photopainting is the correct term for their resulting works.

Why «Komolon»?

The exhibition is titled "Komolon," named after one of the oldest mahallas in the heart of Tashkent. Perhaps it is the very heart of Tashkent. This title reflects the artists' immense love for the place, their workspace, the home of their creative subjects, and most importantly, their source of inspiration. Daima Rakhmanbekova elaborates on the inception of this new direction in their lives:

"Our studios are located in an ancient Uzbek house in the Komolon mahalla. Many such houses surround us, home to large Uzbek families often spanning 3-4 generations under one roof. Our close relatives also live here.

During the 2020 quarantine, our 13-year-old niece Manzura frequently came over for help with her online school assignments. She suddenly transformed from a little girl into a young lady, always delighting us with her beauty and freshness. We couldn't resist capturing her on camera.

Our extensive collection of old chapan, tubeteika, and jewelry collected over the years came into play. These items were tried on, faces painted, scenes created, and our house turned into a theatrical backstage. We didn't think of anything serious then; we were simply having fun and trying to brighten up the challenging times.

All the children photographed for the exhibition are our neighbors. Initially, they were just curious and came to see us paint. Then they became our models.

Speaking of challenges, it was about learning to work together. We are two artists, each with our own painting style and independent worldview. 

Creating each photo composition requires an enormous amount of work: decor, costumes, makeup, lighting, casting, and only then the shooting process. We realized that everything had to be done efficiently, with each of us taking on a part of the work. The children seemed to sense the moment's responsibility, fitting into our rhythm and becoming active participants in the creative process. The exhibition, which we prepared for nearly two years, features 40 photographs and videos.

The Komolon photo exhibition is imbued with Eastern mysteries and exoticism. It reflects a genuine respect for Uzbek land and its traditions. Be sure to visit and experience it for yourself. The exhibition runs until July 31.

Photos of the works courtesy of the artists Maksim Vardanyan and Daima Rakhmanbekova.