Media tour:
Qalqan. Symbols of Crimean Tatars

On Friday, 3 October 2025, at 12.00 the Latvian National Museum of Art invites journalists to the media tour of Rustem Skybin’s solo exhibition Qalqan. Symbols of Crimean Tatars and a meeting with the author of the works.

Only three weeks – from 4 to 26 October 2025 – the exhibition Qalqan. Symbols of Crimean Tatars will be on view in the Cupola Hall of the main building of the Latvian National Museum of Art, presenting the collection of works by Ukrainian ceramic artist Rustem Skybin.

Decorative ceramic plate with blue-green pattern and central ornament on a black background.

Rustem Skybin. Tamga. 2023. Clay, ceramics, glaze, enamel. Courtesy of the artist. Publicity photo

Blue ceramic plate with symmetrical black-and-white ornament on a black background.

Rustem Skybin. Falcon. 2023. Clay, ceramics, glaze, enamel. Courtesy of the artist. Publicity photo

Dark green ceramic plate with red and white ornament on a black background.

Rustem Skybin. Umbon. 2023. Clay, ceramics, glaze, enamel. Courtesy of the artist. Publicity photo

Olive green ceramic plate with white and orange ornament on a black background.

Rustem Skybin. Tarpan. 2023. Clay, ceramics, glaze, enamel. Courtesy of the artist. Publicity photo

Brown-orange ceramic plate with stylized floral pattern on a black background.

Rustem Skybin. Pomegranate. 2023. Clay, ceramics, glaze, enamel. Courtesy of the artist. Publicity photo

Red ceramic plate with swirling ornament on a black background.

Rustem Skybin. Buckle. 2023. Clay, ceramics, glaze, enamel. Courtesy of the artist. Publicity photo

Red ceramic plate with black-and-white ornament and central star motif on a black background.

Rustem Skybin. Star. 2023. Clay, ceramics, glaze, enamel. Courtesy of the artist. Publicity photo

Dark blue ceramic plate with orange geometric ornament on a black background.

Rustem Skybin. Axe. 2023. Clay, ceramics, glaze, enamel. Courtesy of the artist. Publicity photo

Black ceramic plate with fine triangular ornament in silvery tones on a black background.

Rustem Skybin. Amulet. 2023. Clay, ceramics, glaze, enamel. Courtesy of the artist. Publicity photo

Decorative plate with fine linear ornament in blue and copper tones on a black background.

Rustem Skybin. Friendship. 2023. Clay, ceramics, glaze, enamel. Courtesy of the artist. Publicity photo

Decorative plate with green and black floral motifs on a blue background.

Rustem Skybin. Tulip. 2023. Clay, ceramics, glaze, enamel. Courtesy of the artist. Publicity photo

Decorative plate with blue and pink patterns on a purple background.

Rustem Skybin. Universe. 2023. Clay, ceramics, glaze, enamel. Courtesy of the artist. Publicity photo

The qalqan is a round battle shield traditionally used in Crimean Tatar weaponry. At the same time, it is also an art object, carrying ornaments with symbolic meaning. Rustem Skybin revives this form in ceramics, combining decorative art with the language of historical symbols. Artist has a deep interest in Crimean Tatar heritage and the decoration of military objects. His ceramic works echo ancient ornamental compositional patterns he discovered on Tatar weapons and armour.

Through his works, Rustem Skybin creates a link between different epochs and generations. The ornaments of the 17th–18th century warfare reflect the constancy of tradition, and therefore the artist interprets the symbols in terms of the transmission and preservation of meaning, and the respect for specific historical compositions.

Language

In Latvian and Ukrainian
(with simultaneous translation into Latvian)

Duration

60 minutes

Venue

Main building of the Latvian National Museum of Art /
Cupola Hall (5th floor)
Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1, Riga

Plan your visit

Project managers

Zakhida Adylova
Cross-cultural project manager /
NGO El Cheber
Kyiv, Ukraine

Katrīna Vastlāve
Head of Communication /
Latvian National Museum of Art