About
Berdiguly Amansakhatov is a celebrated Turkmen artist whose work spans stage design, painting, and graphic arts. Born in the Mary region of Turkmenistan in 1950, he studied at leading art institutions in Ashgabat and Moscow, where he developed a distinctive creative voice rooted in symbolism, culture, and emotion.
His theatrical scenography has earned major recognition, including the USSR State Prize, the Lenin Komsomol Prize, and the TÜRKSOY Prize. Alongside his theatre work, his oil paintings and graphic series reflect a deeply personal artistic philosophy — one he describes as “Analytical Modernism.”
Across decades of creative work, Amansakhatov continues to explore themes of heritage, myth, and the human spirit. His art has been presented in galleries and theaters across Turkmenistan, Russia, Europe, and beyond — inviting audiences to see the world through a uniquely Turkmen perspective.
Awards
Major Awards
USSR State Prize — Jan (1991)
Lenin Komsomol Prize (1990)
TÜRKSOY Prize (1996)
Nowruz Prize, Best Scenography (1998)
Honored Artist of the Republic of Khakassia (2000)
Selected Exhibitions
Prague Quadrennial of Stage Design — Czech Republic (1991)
Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan — Ashgabat (2016)
A. A. Bakhrushin Theatre Museum — Moscow (2013, 2014)
National Theatre of Opera and Ballet — Toruń, Poland (1994)
National Gallery “Khazine,” Kazan — BRICS Program (2024–2025)
A few highlights from a distinguished international career:
03.12.1950 - Born in Peshan-Ali village of Mary etrap
1957-1966 - Studied at boarding school №3, Mary city
1966-1970 - Studied at art college named after Sh. Rustaveli (mentor: I. I. Poyda), Ashgabat city
1970-1972 - Worked at the art fund, Mary city
1972-1974 - Served in the Soviet army
1974-1980 - Studied at the State academic art institute named after V. I. Surikov in the studio of academician M. M. Kurilko-Ryumin. Russia, Moscow city
1976 - First stage: scenography and costumes to the play “Searching husband for mother-in-law” by А.Tagan. The Drama theater named after Kemine. Mary city. Directed by А. Komekow
1978 - First stage of musical play: scenography and costumes to the opera “Chemist” by I. Gaydna, directed by J. Kulambayeva. Theater-studio under the conservatory named after Kurmangazy, Kazakhstan, Almaty city
1980 - Scenography and costumes to the ballet “Nissa”: wordbook by N. Gullayev, music by D. Nuriyev, choreographer K. Niyazov. The State theater of opera and ballet named after Magtymguly, Ashgabat city
1981 - Became a member of the Union of theater workers of USSR
1983 - Became a member of the Union of Artists of USSR
1979 -1984 - Chief artist of the State drama musical theater named after S. Seydi of Charjow city (now Turkmenabat). Implemented scenography of more than eleven plays, the most well-known of which: “The Ghost lady” by P. Calderon, “Love’s Labour’s lost” by W. Shakespeare, “New year is tomorrow” by B. Djakiyev, “Summer in the city” by Anar Rzyaev, directed by A. Yakubow.
1984-1988 - Chief artist of the Theater of young spectators named after A. Kulmammedov, Ashgabat city. Implemented scenography of over ten plays, the most well-known of which: “Lizard” by A. Volodin, director K. Ashyrov
Key Dates of Life and Creativity
Location
Address
680 Folsom Street
Hours
Mon-Fri 9am-6pm