 Walking through the paintings on exhibit right now at the Bilkent Library Art Gallery, one can feel a sense of history unfolding with each step. The clear passion evoked in each of the works and the artists who created them has the ability to dominate one’s thoughts, and it isn't hard to quickly get lost in this beautiful new world. This is a fascinating and important exhibition, as this week the work of famed Turkish artists have come to visit the Bilkent family. Adnan Çoker's strict lines and shapes meet Belkıs Taşkeser's old lady drinking coffee. Filiz Başaran's yellow bird meets Burhan Uygur's flashing reds. The collection is truly spectacular in terms of the artists and the pieces it has brought together.
I had the chance to note the ideas and feelings of the organizer Attila Güllü about this fabulous exhibition.
B.N.: It must be very hard to bring the original artworks to our gallery, since they are the works of famous and important artists throughout the Turkish history of painting. What are your comments on this?
A.G.: Yes, as you have said this is an exhibition where we have important artists together. It is an exhibition that is selected from the İstanbul Museum of Graphic Arts (IMOGA) collection, and yes it was not easy to bring such an important exhibition here. But this is our fourth year at Bilkent and we try to make high standard exhibitions for the students and the staff to visit the art gallery. And this is one of those high standard exhibitions.
B.N.: All the paintings here are very valuable and unique, but do you have a favorite one, personally, in this collection?
A.G.: All of them are extremely valuable. Because when you look at them, the names, you can see the people who formed Turkish art history. It is very hard for me to differentiate one from the others, I love all of them. They all are very valuable. I think it is a very important opportunity for Bilkent, I strongly advise all the students and the instructors to see this exhibition and I insist that they should see it. The exhibitions are free and I ask myself why people are not coming. It would only take a few minutes.
B.N.: Will there be other exhibitions like this one?
A.G.: Yes, of course. We make approximately one exhibition per month. But this exhibition, for example, is one that can be done once in a few years. We will continue with personal exhibitions.
B.N.: Thank you very much.
A.G.: Thank you.
The artists included in the current show at the Bilkent Library include Adnan Çoker, Adnan Turani, Avni Arbaş, Belkıs Taşkeser, Burhan Doğançay, Burhan Uygur, Cihat Burak, Ergin İnan, Filiz Başaran, Gül Derman, Mehmet Koyunoğlu, Mehmet Pesen, Mustafa Pilevneli, Nurullah Berk, Sadi Diren, and Süleyman Saim Tekcan.
The exhibition can be seen until April 10.
Alev Değim (COMD/III)
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