Ceramic artist Hamiye Çolakoğlu passed away on December 31, 2014.
Her memory lives on in her works, several of which may be seen at Bilkent. These include “The Symphony of Peace in the Universe” (1981) and “The Light of Science” (1997), wall installations in the Bilkent University Library; another wall installation on the ground floor of the Rectorate Building (1999); and a porcelain sculpture, “The Science Tree” (1997).
Ms. Çolakoğlu studied at the State Ceramic Art School in Florence, Italy, from 1959 to 1963. She also studied art history and Italian literature at Perugia University. In 1963, she became a member of the Washington Ceramicists’ Association. In 1983, Ms. Çolakoğlu helped to establish the Department of Ceramics in the Hacettepe University Faculty of Fine Arts. Over the years, her work was displayed in many solo and group exhibitions in Turkey and abroad; she received many national and international awards and honors, including the title of State Artist in 1998.
We extend our condolences to her family, colleagues and students.