Conversation with the Sun

The story explores themes such as loss, self-discovery, and the struggle to reclaim one’s identity and language. At the age of 13, Mingazova was uprooted from Kazakhstan and moved to Norway, from where she was sent back to her country of birth at the age of 31 due to Norway’s strict immigration laws. Returning to Kazakhstan felt like a rebirth for Mingazova – she learned to see the world through new eyes, to adapt, and to build a new life.

Zarina Saidova Mingazova’s (*1992) work as an artist and editor lies at the intersection of storytelling and illustration. After graduating from the Oslo National Academy of the Arts in 2022, Zarina has dedicated herself to her independent publication Træsh. She has participated in numerous exhibitions and founded a pop-up comic store in Kazakhstan. In January and February 2026, she will take part in the MQ’s Artists-in-Residence program.