Aïda Adilbek (Kazakhstan) is an artist working primarily through performance, photography, and film. Her current practice combines artistic, curatorial, and research methodologies to explore culture, myths, and rites associated with communities in Central Asia. Aïda’s current artistic interests include using folk tales to reimagine local histories and questioning state-influenced cultural narratives. 

At Delfina Foundation, Aïda will develop research around the “industrialisation” of Central Asia during the USSR. She will aim to delineate how the effects of industry during this period, particularly the pollution of surrounding environments and extraction of natural resources, connect to the substitution of Central Asian culture and cultural objects. 

Aïda graduated from Kazakh National Art Academy with a BA in Art History in 2016; she received an MFA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths in 2020. She is a cofounder of Almaty-based artist collective MATA, 2020, and a member of DAVRA research group, initiated by Saodat Ismailova in 2021. In 2023, she co-founded Bölme, a multidisciplinary school for artistic practitioners in Almaty, Kazakhstan; became laureate of the Sound Art Residency at Musée de Quai Branly, Paris; and received the Prince Claus Fund’s Seed Award. Her works and films have featured at festivals such as Documenta Fifteen (2022), goEast 23 Film Festival (2023), Qara Film Festival (2023), and the Jean Rouch International Film Festival (2024). 

Aïda Adilbek was born and raised in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and is currently based there. 

With support from:

With support from: Delfina’s Network of Central Asia Patrons 

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Please note all artist-in-residence biographies are accurate at the time of their residency. For up-to-date bios please visit the artist’s website.