In August 1997, Ronald Kleijer, an artist from Nootdorp, Holland, took his backpack and headed for Tashkent. In 1994 he had previously traveled to Central Asia, resulting in his studies at the Royal Academy of Art at The Hague, being molded by his experiences abroad.
Taking root in Tashkent, Ronald's life has flourished both professionally and personally, bolstered by his Uzbek wife, Gala, and their daughter Neeltje.

During the past five years Ronald has traveled extensively around Central Asia. Remote locations in Karakalpakstan, Bukhara, Kashgar and Karakoum desert have allowed Ronald to express his inspiration. His oil paintings have been strongly influenced by factors in Uzbekistan.
"The strong light in Central Asia, which is a primary factor, differs radically from the diffused light in Holland," explained Ronald. "Therefore my work has taken on a new viewpoint."

Karakalpakstan in particular, has captured Ronald's imagination and in 1999 he held an exhibition in Tashkent, dedicated to his work on the Aral Sea. The exhibition was a huge success, his views, ideas and philosophy united in his paintings, giving a profound understanding to the predicament of the Aral Sea and surrounding area. Life in Uzbekistan is, as Ronald says, "Easy going". "It varies vastly to life in Europe." "Wherever 1 go, people in Uzbekistan are friendly, always ready for a chat."

His passion is visiting the old town and bazaars, where he can photograph and converse in Russian with the locals.
From these photographs, he portrays his work on enormous canvasses in his studio, high above the city centre.
He summed up life in Uzbekistan as "Combined with a pleasant climate and an interesting culture, Uzbekistan is a magical place for me."
For more information or to view his work contact: ronaldkleijer@hotmail.com
mob. +998 (71) 1866322