Solo Exhibition: My Riverbeds by Dina Baitasova

Kazakhstani artist Dina Baitasova’s exhibition, “My Riverbeds” takes viewers on an intimate exploration of the human soul, navigating themes of identity, spiritual journeys, and transformation. Through the lenses of alchemy and mythology, Dina delves deeply into the process of self-discovery.

Baitasova’s works serve as a visual diary, chronicling a 15-year-long personal journey. She likens human life to the continuous flow of a river—always evolving, seeking new horizons, and undergoing constant renewal.

Key Themes of the Exhibition:

Alchemy: The creative process mirrors alchemy, with the artist acting as the alchemist, blending and transforming personal experiences in the search for authenticity.
Mythology: Her work is infused with references to Kazakh, Greek, and global myths, drawing on them as sources of symbolism and inspiration.
Nature: The landscapes of Kazakhstan and Greece, both of which deeply influenced the artist, feature prominently. Nature becomes a reflection of the soul and a wellspring of creative energy.

The Alchemical Journey

The exhibition unfolds in three stages, each representing a phase in the alchemical process:

Nigredo (Black Work): Symbolizing chaos and the beginning of an inner search, this phase showcases works dominated by deep blues, evoking a descent into the unconscious.
Albedo (White Work): This stage represents rebirth and the emergence of a new identity or perspective. White plaster figures reflect purification and the shedding of old forms.
Rubedo (Red Work): The final phase represents the merging of the personal with the universal, where the artist finds harmony with the self and the world. Red tones dominate, focusing on femininity and the power of nature, with the central image of a mountain symbolizing the “Great Mother” in Turkic mythology.

This exhibition marks the culmination of Dina Baitasova’s extensive inner work, and for the first time, she shares this deeply personal journey with the public.

About the Artist

Dina’s journey began 15 years ago in Paris, where she confronted questions of identity and belonging. Inspired by her surname “Bay-tas,” meaning “precious stone” in Kazakh, she developed her own mythology, where the stone symbolized her creative pursuits.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had a profound impact on Dina’s artistic direction, prompting her to reassess her roots. In 2021, she embarked on a pilgrimage to sacred sites in Kazakhstan, such as Mangistau, Beket-Ata, and Shakpak-Ata, deepening her connection to her cultural heritage.

Her spiritual journey reached a new phase during an art residency in Greece in 2022, where the influence of Byzantine icons and ancient myths helped crystallize her artistic vision. This exhibition is a window into her transformative process, framed through the metaphor of alchemy.