Iskandar Ikromov

Iskandar Ikromov, a natural talent, a famous graphic artist who created his own unique school in the art of book design, was born in 1904 in Tashkent. A born talent, the artist considered fine arts a miracle from his youth, and in 1923, he went to study at the Turkestan Regional Art School located at the 1st printing house in the Eski Juva square.

The future artist, who received his first lessons in fine arts there, studied at the Art Technicum under the Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg from 1925 to 1929.

He worked as a teacher at the Samarkand Pedagogical Technicum from 1929 to 1930, head of the graphics department at the State Publishing House of Uzbekistan from 1929 to 1959, and chairman of the Uzbekistan Artists' Union from 1959 to 1965.

In the 1930s, the artist not only published articles related to fine arts in magazines such as «Maorif va o'qituvchi» (Education and Teacher), «Alanga» (Flame), and «Yer yuzi» (The Earth), but also created methodological manuals on painting and decorative arts, such as «Learning to Draw» (1933), «Learn to Write Letters» (1935), «Uzbek Illustrated Cut-out Alphabet» (1932), and «Uzbek Alphabet, Coloring Book» (1932).

These were well received by art enthusiasts and served as a blueprint during those years for the development of artists such as Shonazar Shorahimov, Bahrom Hamdamiy, Lutfulla Abdullayev, Hamidulla Ikromov, and Samig Abdullayev into expert professionals in their field.

Throughout his creative career, the artist gained fame specifically as a master in decorating books, their covers, and interior illustrations.

His designs for N. Safarov's «Unforgettable Days», Q. Lokhuti's «We Will Win», works by Hamza, Abdulla Qodiriy, Oybek, Gafur Gulam, Pushkin's poems, Shevchenko's «Kobzar», Turgenev's «The Diary of a Superfluous Man», Tursunzoda's «Chamanzor», Berdi Kerbabaev's «Brave Step», and Rajabiy's «Uzbek Folk Music» gained great importance not only in the artist's own work but also in the field of book design.

The well-known writer Oybek wrote: «It is known that comrade Iskandar, the first polygraphic artist and book doctor (illustrator) to emerge among the Uzbeks, has dedicated himself to his work with love; there are things in the work done by comrade Iskandar, who is just stepping into a broad creative field within the school, that inspire great hope. Like every artist, Iskandar understands the secrets of lines and colors very well. He brings life and movement to lines and colors.»

I. Ikromov actively participated in the 500th-anniversary celebration of Alisher Navoi. He decorated the poet's books «Layli and Majnun», «Farhad and Shirin», «Saddi Iskandariy», and «Khazoyin ul-Maoniy» in a beautiful style. In them, he masterfully utilized ornament patterns used in the architecture of the poet's era and decorations from manuscripts of that time. He also worked with great affection and sincerity on the books of our culture's great representatives such as Abu Rayhan Beruni, Ibn Sina, Lutfiy, Mirzo Ulugbek, and Babur. The decorations he drew for volumes I and V of Abu Ali ibn Sina's «The Canon of Medicine» attract the reader with their brightness, vitality, and great charm.

I. Ikromov's work was highly praised at the time by Oybek, Ch. Akhmarov, Mirmuhsin, as well as prominent bibliographers and art critics like A. Sidorov. «Iskandar aka was a wonderful person with delicate taste. At the same time, he was the founder of Uzbek graphic art,» said People's Artist of Uzbekistan Chingiz Akhmarov. «Iskandar Ikromov was the first artist to revive the Uzbek national book art and demonstrate its fame to the world.

Iskandar aka embodied many positive qualities of the Uzbek national intelligentsia. For this reason, Iskandar Ikromov left a great impression as a virtuous person characteristic of the former Uzbek intelligentsia and as a creator who loved his national art with all his heart.»

I. Ikromov participated in international and republican book competitions and exhibitions with his works, winning high awards. He was awarded a second-degree diploma in 1956 for the decoration of Abu Ali ibn Sina's «The Canon of Medicine» at the former Soviet book, graphics, and posters exhibition; a bronze medal at the international book exhibition held in Leipzig, Germany in 1959 for his decoration of Alisher Navoi's «Lyrics»; and a second-degree diploma from the former Soviet Artists' Union in 1965 for the cover of Alisher Navoi's «Wise Words». He was also awarded a 1st-degree diploma at the 9th competition for the best book and magazine designs of the Central Asian and Kazakh republics in 1970.

It is no coincidence that the academic poet Gafur Gulam, upon receiving his own book decorated by Iskandar Ikromov, highly praised his art by saying: «First Mani, Iskandar is the second». Because the artist created his own school in Uzbek book art by relying on national traditions.

I. Ikromov combined creative work with leadership and public duties. He was the chairman of the Uzbekistan Artists' Union, a secretary of the leadership of the former Soviet Artists' Union, and a member of the Scientific Council of the State Museum of Oriental Arts and the Methodological Council of the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan. His meaningful work was duly rewarded with the title «People's Artist of Uzbekistan» (1944) and several orders and medals.

The famous graphic artist Iskandar Ikromov passed away on November 6, 1972, in the city of Tashkent. He left behind invaluable works of art, wonderful students, and loyal children. His life path is as sacred as an invaluable book for these students and children.