Artist and Academician Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç’s Three Solo Exhibitions consisting of 207 Artworks and titled “Old Time Cyprus Figures”, “Love is on the wings of the bird”, “My name is Red”, and Kyrgyzstan Artist Kubanychbek Ibragimov’s Solo Painting Exhibition titled “Reality Dream” and consisting of 34 Artworks opened by Minister of Labor and Social Security Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu
Date Added: 26 January 2020, 10:57
Last Updated Date:17 November 2020, 15:57

Artist and academician Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç's three solo exhibitions consisting of 207 artworks and titled "Old Time Cyprus Figures", "Love is on the wings of the bird", "My name is Red", and Kyrgyzstan artist Kubanychbek Ibragimov's solo painting exhibition titled "Reality Dream" and consisting of 34 artworks was opened by Minister of Labor and Social Security Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu.

According to the information provided by the Press and Public Relations Directorate of Near East University, Minister of Labor and Social Security Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu, Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat Günsel, vice-rectors, deans, guests, and artists attended to the opening of the exhibitions at the Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall.

At the opening of the exhibition, Vice Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Kyrgyzstan artist Kubanychbek Ibragimov, artist and academician Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç and Minister of Labor and Social Security Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu made a speech each.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “We have been carrying out our scientific and artistic projects…”
Making the opening speech of the exhibition, Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ stated that they held 232 international exhibitions in 2019 within the scope of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Project, which is uniting all world art in this geography, and that 1500 artists from all over the world have been part of the project to date.

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “The number of works produced has so far exceeded 20,000. The number of materials accumulated for 7 museums that will serve in the museum region on campus has reached 100,000. We are carrying out our scientific and artistic projects in 2020 without slowing down.”

We have started car production through our academic and R&D studies…
Speaking about the academic achievements of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ noted: “In 2019, our academics participated in 813 national or international scientific events, organized 1142 scientific events, presented a total of 864 papers, of which 239 were full text, 625 of which were abstract text and over 1200 international publications. The international publication rate per faculty member was over 2. Our University, which has made significant investments in R&D for a long time, has achieved world championships with the Robotic football team, on the one hand, has sown the seeds of a new future with solar cars RA-25 and RA-27. Following the R&D processes starting with RA-25 and RA-27, the test drive of Günsel, our first domestic electric car developed by our 109 engineers by working throughout the day and the night, was successfully made by our Founding Rector and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Günsel’s launch will take place with a wide participation next month.”

Kubanychbek Ibragimov: “Cyprus Museum of Modern Art is the Center of Creativity…”
Kyrgyzstan artist Kubanychbek Ibragimov said that his exhibition titled "Reality Dream" is the unification of human and nature on canvases and he tries to reflect his imaginary world in his works. Ibragimov said, “I am proud and happy to be a part of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. Dr. I would like to present my endless gratitude to Suat Günsel. The center of creativity was established. Here we can work comfortably and release our fantasies. I would like to thank everyone for sharing this moment with me and visiting my exhibition.”

Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç: “My greatest wealth are what I have…”
Artist and academician Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç explained what he included in his three solo exhibitions, "Love is on the wings of bird", "My name is Red", and "Old Time Cyprus Figures". Prof. Dr. Aygenç said, “In the “Love is on the wings of bird", the common theme of longing to fly freely and reaching far away can be observed. Red is the color of love, fight, wound, strength, movement, excitement, tension, Mediterranean, and is the color of "secret of life". For this reason, "My name is Red" is the theme of the second group of paintings. "Old Time Cyprus Figures" consists of works that I have reinterpreted the figures that have come from the past and are part of Cyprus culture."

Stating that his acquaintance with plastic arts took 41 years, Prof. Dr. Aygenç pointed out his greatest fortune with the following words: “Let me say, I have never hit the jackpot from the lottery, I am very unlucky. However, the most heroic mother in the world has brought me to life. I have brothers and relatives, each of whom I count very precious separately. I am the father of a princess who always make my tea and coffee while working, whom I love so much so that I can die for her. I had the chance to work with very valuable teachers who inspired and trained me. I became the teacher of students from various countries whose achievements made me very proud. I have friends that I cry and laugh together in the full sense of the word, and shake the spoon in the same soup with them. I have been a member of the Near East Family since 2006, a very successful and confident university taking firm steps with its valuable administrators and academics for entering the top 500 universities of the world. I work with a faculty staff who have the qualities to compete with their counterparts. I live with beautiful people on an island where the sky is the most abundant. Fortunately ... Just I was about to say "what else?", our Founding Rector Suat Günsel, who designs not only the present day but also the future of his country, and I am proud of being a part of his vision, intelligence and energy... My dear Teacher, since 2018, when you lighted up the fire of this museum, this structure, which you have elevated excitedly and at high speed, has already become an enviable and exemplary foundation... I don't know if our thanks correspond to what you did. This is my wealth statement."

Minister Sucuoğlu: “Suat Günsel created a brand identified with Cyprus…”
Minister of Labor and Social Security Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu, "Founding Rector Suat Günsel has created a big brand by depositing his wealth in this country's territory and this should be appreciated."

Minister Sucuoğlu: “Every time I come here, I look at the car factory on the one hand and the biggest mosque of Cyprus on the other hand, the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts on the other. Our teacher Suat Günsel has sacrificed his everything to develop and become a leading brand. In fact, this is what should be appreciated, our teacher is identified with this island. The more Near East University makes progress, the more the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus makes progress.”

"Despite the fact that Cyprus is a tiny part of the world, while visiting the exhibitions I deem it as an island in the center of the world, where empires dominated and clashed throughout history, and now it is the center of attention with its rich hydrocarbon deposits. With the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts more than 20 thousand works of art joined the riches of this country, and let's hope that these riches will also bring peace to the island. There are over 20,000 works of art. I always say that the artist is born, and later he is shaped by environmental factors through education. It is not possible for everyone to be an artist, I do believe... No matter how much training your give, I cannot creates such beautiful works of art..."

The awards presented to the artists, busts opened, exhibition ribbons cut...
After the speeches, Minister of Labor and Social Security Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu presented theDean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, with the "Fergani" award within the scope of the Alasia Awards, and Kyrgyzstan artist Kubanychbek Ibragimov was presented with the "Ulug Beg" award. The exhibition ribbons were then cut. Later, the artist and academician Prof. Dr. Aygenç's the bust made by Kyrgyzstan Sculptor Nurlan Kebek Uulu at the Near East University bronze casting workshop was opened by Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu and Founding Rector Suat Günsel. Exhibitions can be visited between 08.00-16.00 on weekdays until January 31, 2020, at the exhibition hall of the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center.