TOYS

Toys hold a status as transitional objects, bearing essential significance in the developmental trajectory of children. Their role lies in aiding children in forging connections with the external world, enabling the differentiation between the inner and outer realms. 

The concept of the transitional object was initially formulated by Donald Winnicott, who highlighted the unresolved nature of the challenge in perceiving reality. Winnicott proposed that it is through intense emotional experiences, such as those engendered by art, religion, and the realm of imagination, that individuals discover a means to alleviate the stress stemming from the coexistence of internal and external realities. 

Within Tanya Akhmetgalieva’s series “Toys,” the notion of transitivity takes on a metaphorical essence. Firstly, the subjects depicted in these works often raise questions about the veracity of external reality. Secondly, Akhmetgalieva submerges us within the liminal realm that bridges the inner and outer dimensions. This is particularly evident as many of her works are intertwined with reminiscences and relics from her own childhood.