PRESENTATION OF THE TEXTBOOK “PAINTING” HELD

AT ABAI UNIVERSITY

Abai University hosted the presentation of a new textbook titled “Painting”. The event was attended by prominent figures in science and the arts, as well as university faculty and students. The author of the work is Tokkozha Kozhagulov, a graduate of Abai KazNPU.

Guests of the event first viewed an art exhibition organized in the main building of the university. The exhibition featured the artist’s works, portraits, and illustrations included in the textbook.

Opening the ceremony with a congratulatory speech, Chairman of the Board – Rector of Abai KazNPU, Bolat Tilep, emphasized that the textbook is an important contribution to the field of art and art studies. He honored the author — a university graduate, professor of the Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after T. Zhurgenov, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Academician of the Kazakhstan Academy of Pedagogical Sciences and the Academy of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan, member of the USSR and Kazakhstan Union of Artists, laureate of the State Award “Daryn” — by presenting him with a traditional Kazakh shapan and commemorative gifts.

— Your creative journey is closely connected with Abai University. After receiving your education at this sacred institution, you spent many years here teaching and nurturing students. You have made a significant contribution to the development of the university. Your expertise in portraiture and your artworks are widely recognized in the artistic community. We are always proud of alumni like you, — said Bolat Anapiyauly.

Following the welcoming remarks, the official presentation of the “Painting” textbook took place. Based on the author’s many years of creative, scientific, and pedagogical experience, the textbook serves as an important resource in the professional training of students in the field of fine arts.

Next, academician Orazaly Sabden, Member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kazybek Isa, Chairman of the Council of Veterans of KazNPU Berikzhan Almukhambetov, artist Zhanuzak Musapir, and Professor Medeubek Tangirbergenov spoke about the significance of the textbook and highlighted the author’s contribution to the development of the arts.

Kazybek Isa, the author’s fellow student, poet, and Member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, added:

— Among the students who studied with us at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Graphics, I was the only one who became a poet. Yet Tokkozha Kozhagulov has always been close not only to painting but also to the art of the word. He grew up in the homeland of Mukagali Makatayev and Berdibek Sokpakbayev. His paintings convey strong national identity and color. His works reflect the spirit of a true patriot who loves his nation, — he said.

In his concluding remarks, the author of the textbook, Tokkozha Mukazhanuly, expressed gratitude to the university community and noted that “Painting” is aimed at supporting the professional development of young artists, offering rich theoretical and practical content.

For reference, Tokkozha Kozhagulov was born in 1962 in Almaty Region. He graduated from the Kazakh Pedagogical Institute named after Abai in 1984. He began his career at the Zhambyl Pedagogical Institute and, since 1987, has served at Abai KazNPU, rising from assistant to department head and Director of the Institute of Arts, Culture, and Sports (2019).

Since 1987, he has participated in numerous exhibitions and created portraits of notable figures such as Abai, Zhambyl, and Auezov. As the founder of the artistic movement “TOBAISM,” his solo exhibitions have been highly regarded both in Kazakhstan and internationally. Hundreds of his works are housed in museums and private collections in Kazakhstan and abroad. He is the author of more than 40 scientific articles, monographs, and textbooks.

Press Service of Abai University