Maksat Shikhiev is a sculpture teacher at the children's art school in the Magtymguly etrap, Balkan Velayat, known for his unique woodworking. He is a true admirer of the creative legacy of the famous Turkmen poet and philosopher, Magtymguly Fragi. His poetry inspires the talented master of artistic wood carving to create his best works about the brilliant poet.

Maksat dedicates his free time from work entirely to his favorite form of art, developing in his students a love of carving and awakening a desire to explore the wonderful world of beauty. Many of his students entered university and became professional masters of brushwork and artistic carving, including teachers such as Adjap Anamanova from Kizylarvat Children's Art School.

Maksat's creativity is characterized by bright national color, plasticity, and decorativeness, revealing the theme, idea, and content of his works. Among them, the artistic image of Magtymguly Fragi holds a special place. Depicting a portrait on wood, which is most suitable for processing, requires perseverance, hard work, jewelry precision, and subtlety of processing.

Maksat explains that, during the production process, a suitable tree is selected, its texture is studied, and the necessary technology for the "building material" is selected. For this purpose, he mostly uses the dagdan tree, which grows high in the mountains. Unlike other trees, it is most suitable for processing and firing, ensuring the durability of the product, which is essential for transporting works from one exhibition to another, both in our country and abroad.

For example, in 2009, a monument to Magtymguly Fragi was opened in Russia, in the picturesque city of Astrakhan. An exhibition was organized where Maksat's works were presented. In 2018, his works were exhibited in India, and 2019, in the Islamic Republic of Iran. There is a festive international exhibition of decorative and applied arts dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the birth of Magtymguly Fragi ahead.

Maksat has prepared a whole composition for the poet’s upcoming anniversary under the general title “Makhtumkuli Fragi - 300 years”. The paintings on wood were created under the influence of the poet’s prophetic poems “Türkmeniň,” “Türkmen binasy,” and “Turgul diýdiler.” The original national flavor is reflected in them. The paintings, executed in the style of oriental artistic miniatures, reflect ancient architecture in the form of domes and minarets. The wood carvings convey the characteristics of Fraga's poetry. For example, the moon and sun are of particular importance for understanding the poet’s philosophy, and doves symbolize peace, friendship, and brotherhood. Elements of the Independence Monument connect the past with the present and future, embodying the patriotic poet’s cherished dream of a sovereign state.

Maksat Shikhiev devoted his life to promoting the creative legacy of Magtymguly Fragi and educating the younger generation. For his contribution to the development of national decorative and applied arts, he was awarded the medal of Turkmenistan “Watana bolan söýgüsi üçin,” and his series of works “Makhtumkuli Fragi” won the prize in the creative competition of the President of Turkmenistan “Türkmeniň Altyn asyry” in 2016. Inspired by the poetry of Magtymguly Fragi, Maksat is determined to commemorate the anniversary year of the great poet with his best works about him and his poetry. Soon, the poetry of the great master of words will sound before lovers of decorative and applied arts, embodied in wood by the master of the magic chisel.

Source: "Poetry etched in wood" authored by Toyjan Borjakov, Turkmen Metbugat