About the artist
Tolkyn was born on January 12, 1990 in Almaty, Kazakhstan as a second child in the family of three kids. Her father (1947-2011) was a scientist in math and physics, Mr. Altay Sakbayev who dedicated all his time and love to develop strong faith and belief in her daughter. Mother is her best care who helped her to develop interest and skill in art, Mrs. Aspet Sakbayeva.
Tolkyn was 4 years old when she showed strong desire to express on paper personages from her favourite books. That was the reason she first learnt to hold the pencil in her hand and started to draw a line…it took her several months to draw a simple line, because her hands weren’t listening to her. But she did it, she drew a line! Her life began taking a totally different course. While all doctors she visited after the birth were claiming her diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy is a verdict – she must be ready not to expect any miracles: “she will not be able to walk, to seat, to talk, to understand the reality, even to hold the pencil or read, etc…” But, it was that line which gave her a new hope and new dreams. Since then her pencils, brushes, papers, canvases are always with her.
As a young artist she has been participating and winning in different international exhibitions and contests. There are 2 group and 1 personal exhibitions took place during last 3 years.
Tolkyn graduated Art College by Tansikpaev with Cum-Laude Diploma in Almaty, 2008-2012 years dedicating her final work and articles to her teacher: Mr.Kenjebai Duisenbaev. As she describes their meeting – Maktoob- which means destiny; meant to happen. As Mr. Duisenbaev later says “while I have been teaching Tolkyn, I learnt myself”.
In May, 2012 she got admitted to a National Art Academy by Zhurgeniev, Almaty, Kazakhstan where she could join the followers and former students of Mr. Duisenbaev.
Being an inspirational drive for many other kids with special needs and her peers she was an activist in promoting art as a mean to discover the world, inner power, harmony and freedom. She created a group “New Wave” and later “Artwave Kazakhstan” with the mission to make world shine brighter.
The name TOLKYN means the WAVE in Kazakh language.
Her favourite artists: Henri Matisse, Paul Cezanne, Pablo Picasso.
In summer, 2013 Tolkyn moved to Barcelona, Spain where as artist says she found all the colors of her life and finally her harmony and freedom.