Gulnur's art is a confrontation, but at the same time an interaction between two contrasting cultures. Coming from Central Asia, Gulnur maintains a connection with traditional Asian materials, which are important to her not only from an aesthetic perspective but also symbolically and historically. By combining what is "inherently Kazakh" (nomadic, steppe, Asian, shamanistic, mystical) with the "Soviet" and "European," the artist draws parallels between completely different societies that are becoming increasingly inseparable in the modern world.
In Germany, the artist turned to issues of feminism, globalization, and ethnology, which have become the conceptual foundation of her art. A characteristic feature of her work is the use of a traditional Kazakh material—felt—which in the hands of the artist takes on intricate forms and is subjected to various interpretations. Silk and felt are materials strongly associated with Central Asia. Kazakh nomads weave carpets, tekemets, from felt, and silk is a trade item that gave rise to and named the famous Silk Road. Gulnur uses felt in sculptures, photographs, and canvases.