The Library Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition of paintings by Abdurrahman Kaplan. We are so lucky to be introduced to the philosophy of modern art through Kaplan's artworks titled "Culture, History and Extension Series."

Kaplan mostly used acrylic on his canvas with the figures, ideas and expressions of Turkishness being a unifying theme. His paintings utilize calligraphy and have the aesthetics of the Far East press-paintings. The figures are rooted in historical and cultural origins in this series of painting.

For Kaplan art is not the imitation of what is perceived in Western thought and aesthetics. More than that, art needs creativity in which you can feel the touches of the artist's own culture and history. Art needs the state of belonging to similar values so that the artwork of an artist can be truly universal. What is more, for Kaplan, "creating an artwork not only needs working hard, it needs working harder and harder." Philosophizing is also another necessity during the creation of a piece, for Kaplan. The artist, at first, should draw a shape in his mind and a good work of art requires the combination of the mind, emotions and creativity.

In a global world, the best way of representing Turkish identity through artwork is to combine the values of our own culture, history and geography with the universal principles of art. In order to achieve this goal, we should believe Turkish values in every step of our lives rather than imitating the notions of the Occident. Abdurrahman Kaplan has achieved this combination. Everyone in the Bilkent community is invited to enjoy the philosophy of modern art through the amazing artworks of Kaplan until November 29 in the Library Art Galley every day between10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Figen Gökşen (POLS/IV)