Yelaman Muqtarkhan (b. 2000) is an artist, filmmaker, and activist living and working in Almaty. As an agender practitioner, Muqtarkhan explores gender performativity through personal histories, critically engaging with binary and patriarchal systems. Her practice encompasses a range of experimental approaches to moving image, from found footage and documentary filmmaking to self-portraiture and studio-based filming. Addressing queer visibility through an anti-colonial perspective, Yelaman rethinks dominant narratives around gender and sexuality in Central Asia. Drawing on her own lived experience and relationships with those close to her, the artist employs uncanny and at times ironic imagery in an attempt to be seen.
Education
BA TV and Film Production, San Francisco University, USA
Workshops/Independent courses
2026
Arts-Based and Decolonial Feminist Research Knowledge led by Almira Tabaeva
Role-Play Laboratory:To the mountains led by Ana Maria Milán
Re-practice:Memory in action, Tselinny
2025
Queer Theory Playground led by Saltanat Shoshanova, Tselinny
Artist’s Strategy led by Zhanar Bereketova
2024
Curatorial Thinking Laboratory led by Yulia Sorokina
2022
Introduction to Contemporary Art and Philosophy led by Tzvetnik
Residencies
2021
ALA Art Residency, Kazakhstan, Almaty
Solo exhibitions
2024
It’s a full-time job being non-binary, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Egin Art Space
Group exhibitions
2026
Himoya, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Tselinny
Aryq Fest, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Muratbayeva 23
2025
Aryq Fest, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Muratbayeva 23
Manifesto Show, Kazakhstan, Almaty, 101 Dump Gallery
2024
PAPER SHOW, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Egin Art Space
2023
JANA CEKARA, Kazakhstan, Almaty, 101 Dump Gallery
2022
Zhaman Oner, VR, Digital
2021
Residents Exhibition, Kazakhstan, Almaty, ALA Art Residency
ZHAILAU, Kazakhstan, Astana, TSE ART Destination
2020
APT-ART, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Esentai Gallery
Untitled group show, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Esentai Gallery
Collaboration
2026 Collaboration project w/about my father "what healer cannot heal"
2026 “Silk Road” zine with Balnura Nusipova, Alua Imanalieva, Shynar Muratkyzy
2025 New Year's Wardrobe
2024 Olar Collective (co-founder)
2021 Project-commission with Bavaria beer brand
Publications/Mentions
BA TV and Film Production, San Francisco University, USA
Workshops/Independent courses
2026
Arts-Based and Decolonial Feminist Research Knowledge led by Almira Tabaeva
Role-Play Laboratory:To the mountains led by Ana Maria Milán
Re-practice:Memory in action, Tselinny
2025
Queer Theory Playground led by Saltanat Shoshanova, Tselinny
Artist’s Strategy led by Zhanar Bereketova
2024
Curatorial Thinking Laboratory led by Yulia Sorokina
2022
Introduction to Contemporary Art and Philosophy led by Tzvetnik
Residencies
2021
ALA Art Residency, Kazakhstan, Almaty
Solo exhibitions
2024
It’s a full-time job being non-binary, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Egin Art Space
Group exhibitions
2026
Himoya, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Tselinny
Aryq Fest, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Muratbayeva 23
2025
Aryq Fest, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Muratbayeva 23
Manifesto Show, Kazakhstan, Almaty, 101 Dump Gallery
2024
PAPER SHOW, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Egin Art Space
2023
JANA CEKARA, Kazakhstan, Almaty, 101 Dump Gallery
2022
Zhaman Oner, VR, Digital
2021
Residents Exhibition, Kazakhstan, Almaty, ALA Art Residency
ZHAILAU, Kazakhstan, Astana, TSE ART Destination
2020
APT-ART, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Esentai Gallery
Untitled group show, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Esentai Gallery
Collaboration
2026 Collaboration project w/about my father "what healer cannot heal"
2026 “Silk Road” zine with Balnura Nusipova, Alua Imanalieva, Shynar Muratkyzy
2025 New Year's Wardrobe
2024 Olar Collective (co-founder)
2021 Project-commission with Bavaria beer brand
Publications/Mentions
2026 e-flux: Himoya: Matrilineal Energies, Oracular Kin
2024 shOF: Conversation with Yelaman Muqtarkhan and Zarina Saidova
2024 Yelaman Muqtarkhan Interview - 98mag
2024 Yelaman Muqtarkhan - It’s a full-time job being non-binary - cultura.kz
2021 IADA Art: Postconceptual turn: the next artist's generation in Kazakhstan
Photograph by Sabina Abdimalik, 2026
2024 shOF: Conversation with Yelaman Muqtarkhan and Zarina Saidova
2024 Yelaman Muqtarkhan Interview - 98mag
2024 Yelaman Muqtarkhan - It’s a full-time job being non-binary - cultura.kz
2021 IADA Art: Postconceptual turn: the next artist's generation in Kazakhstan
Photograph by Sabina Abdimalik, 2026