Hacettepe University Faculty of Fine Arts Faculty Member and Ceramic Artist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Özçelik's solo exhibition titled TRACES features a total of 45 pieces consisting of 32 pieces of superficial works of tiles and 13 pieces of abstract women sculptures, all of which will be added to the collection of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. This distinguished solo exhibition was opened by Nazım Çavuşoğlu, TRNC Minister of National Education and Culture.
The Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of Near East University released that TRNC National Education and Culture Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu, Near East University Founding Rector Dr. Suat Günsel, vice Rector Professor Tamer Şanlıdağ, graduate schools directors and guests attended the opening ceremony of Özçelik's solo exhibition that held at the exhibition hall of the Faculty of Medicine of Near East University.
The opening remarks of the exhibition were delivered respectively by vice Rector Professor Tamer Şanlıdağ, ceramic artist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Özçelik and TRNC National Education and Culture Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu.
"Within the scope of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Project, over 120 workshops have been realized so far and we are realizing the opening of the 144th exhibition..."
Underlining that Cyprus Museum of Arts, the foundations of which were laid on 8 August 2018 and brought together artists from many countries within the scope of the museum project, vice Rector Professor Tamer Şanlıdağ stated that Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts would open its doors on 15 November 2020. He emphasized that the museum would be the largest modern art museum in this geography with the largest collection comprising all traditional and modern art works concerning particularly Turkic world. Stating that they were together to realize the opening of Hüseyin Özçelik's solo ceramic exhibition 'TRACES' within the scope of Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Project, which provided freedom in creativity and united the world of art in this geography, vice Rector Professor Şanlıdağ highlighted the significant role of art in contributing to the social and cultural development of the society in local and global scale. "Within the last 11 months, more than 120 workshops were realized and almost 15 thousand of artworks were created within the scope of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Project. Today, we are experiencing the proud and happiness of realizing the 144th exhibition under the umbrella of Near East University" noted he.
Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ: "A total of around 4000 artists, almost 1000 of whom were from abroad, have participated in the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Project so far"
Highlighting Near East University's commitment to continuing to work for the benefit of her country and people, vice Rector Professor Şanlıdağ stated that they attached a special importance on developing the relations with other educational institutions while progressing towards accomplishing their objectives. "Cooperation protocols have been signed with many universities regarding the museums to be situated in the Museums Zone of Near East University within the scope of this project. As recently as yesterday, we signed a protocol envisioning very close relations with Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University that separated from Gazi University (with which we also signed a protocol 6 months ago). A total of around 4000 artists, almost 1000 of whom were from abroad, have participated in the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Project so far. This number is increasing day by day. As the Near East family, we would like to express our cordial gratitude to all of our artists for their unique contributions to the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts" said he.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Özçelik: "I have brought you the companions of my individual journey, which bear traces from me.”
Welcoming the participants at the opening ceremony of his solo exhibition, Associate Professor Hüseyin Özçelik expressed his proud and happiness of sharing this special moment with them. "Life sails in a formation called culture that determined for all of us to be experienced in a specific geography coinciding with a determined time of period. We make our choice, observe our environment and record every moment with our eyes. These records are reserved in our individual record areas called subconscious.
This area, which is the area of uniqueness like the uniqueness in the womb; our first world, comprises our accumulations, memories, and many values that make us strong. We put all these in words and arouse interest. Others are pleased that we remember. And there are those who express these records in ways other than words; those are artists. They express these records by transforming them into images, forms reflecting their creativeness and vision that attract attention and surprised us. They find and come up with the forgotten, arduous and radiant ones. These are artworks. These are the witnesses and evidences of time. These comprise traces from the moment, breaths from life. My solo exhibition covers all these. I unveil the traces through life and colors through breath. Endless thanks to the Founding Rector Dr. Suat İ. Günsel for providing me opportunity to share these with you and enabling the artists to transform individual treasures into social memories under the aegis of him. I have brought you the companions of my individual journey, which bear traces from me. From now on, these artworks are entrusted to you until the eternity under the aegis of Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. It's a great pride for me that my works will take place in the unique collection of the museum" noted he.
The existence of the TRNC in the future is possible through services providing employment opportunities in this country ranging from education to health, from science to technology.
Starting his remarks with the Great Turkish Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's saying “A nation deprived from art is a nation that one of its vital veins is ruptured", TRNC National Education and Culture Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu stated that art had a crucial role in the development of a society on local and global scale. "To support art and artists to reveal their emotions and spark them to reflect their traces on canvases and ceramics is not the duty the government only; the people who love their state, their nation and the geography they live in should also contribute. Despite the lack of the state's contribution due to financial impossibilities, Suat Hodja (Founding Rector Dr. Suat İ. Günsel), who is devoted himself to this land and for the people of this country has accomplished this outstanding success by establishing the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts that designed to gather Turkic art and culture under its roof. Every day, Near East University comes up with new exhibitions, each of which is opened by a minister and attended by parliament members. Although we sometimes experience difficulty in keeping up with this dazzling speed, it is a pleasure to know that almost 15 thousand of artworks have already been collected under the umbrella of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. Besides, providing opportunity to thousands of international artists to work at the workshops of Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and create distinguished artworks for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts is praiseworthy. The existence of the TRNC in the future is possible through services providing employment opportunities in this country ranging from education to health, from science to technology as Suat Hodja does. Sharing the information accumulation of the academics invited to this country by Near East University will also contribute to the future of TRNC. As the Ministry of National Education and Culture and the government, we will continue to keep the way open for those who provide contribution to the future of this country. I am sure that Near East University will achieve all its goals and objectives and will be the locomotive for universities in Cyprus. I share your vision regarding this issue and support you wholeheartedly” said he.
Exhibition ribbon was cut with award presentation and bust opening
Following the speeches, Minister Nazım Çauşoğlu presented the 'El Biruni'-Alasya Great Art Award to artist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Özçelik. Then, the opening of Hüseyin Özçelik's bust was realized. Then the ribbon was cut and the exhibition was opened for visits. Hüseyin Özçelik's solo ceramic exhibition titled TRACES will be open for visits at the exhibition hall of the Faculty of Medicine between 08:00-17:00 hours on weekdays until 11 October 2019.
