AN OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF ART EDUCATION IN UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

On the territory of present-day Uzbekistan, unique artistic schools flourished in ancient Bactria, Khorezm, and Fergana. The masterpieces of decorative and applied arts from antiquity and the Middle Ages, discovered by archaeologists, are now renowned throughout the world. These works were created by talented and highly skilled craftsmen and artists of Central Asia. It is impossible to imagine the masters of painting, terracotta sculpture, bone carving, metalworking, and other forms of art in this region without the long-standing tradition of apprenticeship. Works of fine and decorative-applied arts produced in Central Asia in ancient times testify to the existence of a continuous tradition of artistic inheritance and transmission of skills from one generation to another. At the beginning of the twentieth century, art schools, studios, and technical colleges were established in Uzbekistan. In 1918, an art school was opened in Samarkand. In 1919, the Turkestan School of Folk Arts was founded in Uzbekistan on the initiative of Tudin, Kazakov, and Z. Chernyavskaya. This article examines the historical stages of the formation and development of art education in the territory of Uzbekistan. Particular attention is paid to the traditional master-apprentice system, which ensured the continuity of artistic knowledge and professional skills over many centuries. The study analyzes the processes involved in the establishment of the first art schools and educational institutions at the beginning of the twentieth century, as well as the influence of the European academic school on the development of national art. The role of art schools and higher educational institutions in training specialists in fine and decorative-applied arts is highlighted. The significance of art education in preserving cultural heritage and fostering the creative potential of society is also emphasized.