Artist revives centuries-old paper marbling in Qatar
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Uzbek artist Davlat Toshev works in Qatar to preserve the artistic traditions of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, particularly the Abru-Bahor paper-marbling technique.
Toshev is an artist in residence at the Museum of Islamic Art where he focuses on reviving this nearly forgotten art form, a combination of paper marbling and miniature painting with centuries-old roots in Bukhara’s cultural heritage.
He collaborated with researchers at Bukhara State University to reconstruct the traditional methods for creating the distinctive marbled patterns, believing that practicing and teaching these techniques is essential for their survival. Toshev’s preservation work extends beyond Abru-Bahor to include miniature painting, calligraphy, and the restoration of historic books. He currently teaches over 100 students at the Ustoz-Shogird Centre, aiming to blend traditional knowledge with creative expression.
He acknowledges the challenge of attracting young people to these disciplines, which require patience and dedication in an era focused on speed and information. Toshev emphasizes that direct transmission of knowledge from master artists to the next generation is critical, as traditional arts cannot be fully learned from books alone. Ultimately, he hopes young artists will build upon these traditions, introduce Uzbek culture to the world, and ensure Bukhara’s artistic heritage is recognized as part of humanity’s shared cultural legacy.
