Mohira Mullajanova is a young artist from Uzbekistan whose works are easily recognized at exhibitions and on the walls of forward-thinking collectors’ homes. The walls, illuminated by a warm yellow glow, and the white columns of buildings along Shota Rustaveli and Nukus streets by her have become iconic among art enthusiasts in Tashkent. The ethereal images and surreal themes boldly capture attention in exhibition spaces.
Uzbekistan's club grew curious: who is the individual behind the paintbrush? What insights might we uncover by looking deeper into the artist’s world? To satisfy this curiosity, we decided to craft our own portraits of Mohira. We asked her to reflect on five of her most striking childhood memories–those experiences that occur once but stick in your mind forever. It raises the question of why these specific memories? Dive into our portraits, and then take a moment to close your eyes and call forth your own “stuck pearls,"–those cherished fragments from your childhood that remain etched in your memory.
1-PORTRAIT THE HONEY RENAISSANCE.
I have always had a passion for creativity. It is wonderful that my parents consistently provided me with stationery and art supplies. Do you remember those watercolor paints from the brand “Gamma" that could be found nearly in every school? Everyone seemed to have them. They were always labeled as “honey." I could never quite grasp why they were called “honey." This curiosity gnawed at me throughout my childhood, making me restless. Eventually, I resolved to satisfy my curiosity and tasted them. To my surprise, they were indeed sweet honey-like. That was a closure of sorts for me. Yet, I still find myself wondering what they are made of and whether they actually contain honey.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA?
2-PORTRAIT PINK TASHKENT.
This is my earliest and most vivid childhood memory. It is of the pink sky during winter in Tashkent. As a child, you don't fully comprehend whether it's cold outside or hot. You simply dress as your parents instruct you. However, I distinctly remember the sky, the setting sun. It was twilight–not yet night. The sky was a brilliant shade of pink, almost aflame. Snow was falling as I walked along the street, everything around me was blanketed in white. T here was only one path, next to the hot water pipeline, which usually remained snow-free. Yet that day, it was covered too. I realized it was incredibly cold outside, but I felt a sense of magic within me beneath that vivid pink sky.
ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?
3-PORTRAIT VHS COMFORT.
This is my second most vivid memory. One evening, my sister and I started watching cartoons on VHS-tapes. It felt like such a marvel to us! But besides the cartoons themselves, or perhaps even more than that—what enchanted me was the smell of the tape. We had this bulky, unattractive black player. And when you pulled a tape out of it… it would practically spit it out. The scent would hit you immediately. The scent of warm film. I loved it! That heated plastic smell. I also enjoyed the sounds of that player, especially when you fast-forward or rewound. It was a whole world that is now irretrievably lost.
WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO REWIND YOUR LIFE LIKE YOU COULD WITH THOSE OLD VHS PLAYERS?
4-PORTRAIT ASK ME.
T his memory isn’t particularly pleasant, but it’s very strong. I grew up in the '90s and early 2000s, and back then, the concept of respecting personal space was almost non-existent! Not just for children, but even for adults. It drove me absolutely crazy! Whenever we visited someone’s house with my parents, or when people came over to ours, all these unfamiliar adults would just swoop in to hug and kiss without asking. Of course, I appreciated the love and care from those I held dear. But with many people, I wasn’t comfortable with that kind of contact. I felt it very acutely. I deeply respect cultures where it’s customary to ask for permission. “May I give you a hug?” I believe all children should be taught to protect their personal space from a young age.
DID YOU EVER FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE IN SUCH SITUATIONS WHEN YOU WERE A KID?
5-PORTRAIT MOM’S DINNER.
My mother dedicated her entire life to our family–us, the kids. I also have a younger sister, just two years apart from me. Every evening, mom prepared us a fresh dinner. We never reheated food. I have to come to realize that this came from a deep sense of love. I understand now that cooking for a family every day is a significant luxury. I can’t manage it myself. I try to cook for a few days at a time. But our mom would cook no matter what the circumstances were. We would all gather together as a family for dinner, discussing the day’s events. Now I understand what a luxury it is to see every family member around the table each evening. It provides you with a sense of support, inner strength. It lights a spark within you. You know that at home, you are awaited and loved. They say that a woman creates the atmosphere in a home, and now, as I reflect on my mom, my grandmothers, and my aunt, I realize that all their efforts were worth it. I learned so much from them.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE TASTE OF YOUR MOM’S DINNERS?
Interview by Nikita MAKARENKO.
