Wild

Botagoz Shanti

Poet, Perfumer, Mother & Muse

In the vast expanse of the Kazakh steppe, where the wind roams unbound and the earth holds the whispers of horse-riding nomads, Botagoz Shanti’s story began. An economist, linguist, and political scientist by training, she has transformed her life into a canvas for creativity, intellect, and remarkable resilience. Her journey from the confines of societal and family oppressions and expectations to embracing the archetype of the Wild Woman is a testament to her resourcefulness and power of self-rediscovery through life trials and tribulations. Drawing inspiration from Clarissa Pinkola Estés’s seminal work, Women Who Run with the Wolves,

Botagoz has reclaimed the intrinsic, intuitive, and untamed aspects of herself, embodying the essence of a free-spirited and fiercely creative life. As Estés writes, “These words, wild and woman, cause women to remember who they are and what they are about. They create a metaphor to describe the force which funds all females. They personify a force that women cannot live without,” the truth that resonates deeply in Botagoz’s personal transformation and artistic evolution.

Thanks to intense self-reflection and healing her life traumas, Botagoz has unearthed her innate gifts, weaving them into a multifaceted    identity as an artist perfumer, aesthete, model and poet. Her professional career spans academia, consulting, and banking, showcasing her intellectual versatility. As a neurodivergent mother of neurodivergent children, she is also a passionate advocate for inclusivity, working     tirelessly to make the world a more accessible and supportive place for individuals with special needs and mental health struggles. Her poem, featured in this issue of Lazin UK, invites readers into the depths of her sensitive soul, blending themes of transgenerational memory and discovering one’s true power in vulnerability. As she prepares to publish her debut poetry collection, The Loop, in 2025, Botagoz is also   experimenting with innovative projects that bridge fragrance, poetry, and visual art. Her story is not just one of survival but of reclaiming and redefining what it means to thrive as a modern Wild Woman.
 

A Lazin Studios Production Model: Botagoz Shanti Photography: AB Poeticframe  MUAH: Galina Platonova Stylist: Maryna Kalinichenko