Leveraging the latest technological advancements to reimagine traditional narratives and practices, Aziza Kadyri transforms them to be more relevant to contemporary experiences while engaging in alternative mythmaking.
A London-based, Uzbek multidisciplinary artist, Aziza Kadyri, is passionate about exploring new ways of engaging with cultural heritage, with a particular focus on textiles and costume – art forms that have traditionally been labelled as “feminine”. She’s also deeply interested in how XR/AR/VR and AI technologies can enhance artistic research, edutainment, and socially engaged practices. At the heart of her practice is a commitment to participatory work, especially within Central Asian and Uzbek communities.
Her artistic approach is defined by a blend of collaborative and interdisciplinary methods, which guide the development of immersive experiences across both physical and digital spaces. At the core of her practice lies a strong commitment to participatory engagement with local communities. This dedication led her to co-found Qizlar, a self-organised grassroots collective rooted in the principles of interdisciplinarity, intersectionality, and the pursuit of social change.
Exploring a wide range of themes – from migration, displacement, social invisibility, identity, and decolonisation to feminism and loss of language – Aziza sees each of them as focal points for her work, each offering a lens through which she examines societal dynamics and experiences of women within Central Asia and diaspora. Currently, Aziza is part of a residency at Somerset House Studios, where she focuses on her research on using technology to reimagine cultural heritage and untold stories.
In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, Aziza Kadyri delves into her role in co-creating the exhibition for the Uzbekistan National Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale, sharing her vibrant, globally-spanning journey toward becoming an established artist. Most importantly, she highlights her mission to amplify the voices of Central Asian women artisans – whose stories have often been overlooked by history.
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