OUR STORY
SILK ROAD BAZAAR is a wholesale representative of marginalized artist groups located in Central Asia. We connect with artists who are far from the capitals, who have limited market access, who do not possess modern marketable skills but have carried on traditional craft culture.
Following the proverb, ‘the best way to know a man is to walk a thousand miles in his shoes,’ we believe that to know who we are working with and to understand their lives, we ourselves need to live like and with them. We live amongst our artist groups for an extended period of time. During that time we help them become self-sustainable by developing their designs, management techniques, quality control and computer skills.
All designs and collaborations are original works of Central Asian artists and Silk Road Bazaar.
KORK - KYRGZSTAN
In 1996 Gulnara Kyrdyrmyshova incorporated “Kork, Fiber Art Group.” At that time many artists faced unemployment and required a place to express their talents. Kydyrmyshova recognized this and quickly organized “Kork, Fiber Art Group” to provide local artists with an outlet to sell their works.
Kyrdyrmyshova’s focus has always been on the promotion of felt products; however she works with artists who are engaged in various mediums. “Kork, Fiber Art Group” has been providing artists in Kyrgyzstan for over 15 years with a place to promote their felt works, other textiles, and ceramics.
“Kork, Fiber Art Group” has helped to sustain interest in the arts, provide artists with employment, and kept the tradition of felting alive during times of severe poverty and economic depression. Kyrdyrmyshova and her associated artists have a deep interest in the encouragement and integration of traditional Kyrgyz design and patterns in their artwork as well as educating people about their history of felt.
In 2012 Silk Road Bazaar and Kork have partnered to bring Kyrgyz crafts and design to a global audience.