Turkish Cypriot artist Serkan İlseven and Kazakh artist Zeynelkhan Mikhamedzhan’s solo exhibitions exclusively held for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts opened by Former President Derviş Eroğlu…
Date Added: 17 January 2020, 08:05
Last Updated Date:17 November 2020, 16:02

The exhibition titled "Escape from Paphos" and consisting of artworks of Turkish Cypriot artist Serkan İlseven and the exhibition titled "Spirit of the Steppes" and consisting of artworks of Kazakh artist Zeynelkhan Mikhamedzhan, all exclusively held for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, were opened by Former President Derviş Eroğlu.

According to the information provided by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, the opening of the ceremony was attended by the 3rd President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu, Minister of Tourism and Environment Dt. Ünal Üstel, Former Speaker and Prime Minister Hakkı Atun, Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat İ.Günsel, vice-rectors, institute directors, deans, lecturers, artists and invited guests.

At the opening, respectively, Vice-Rector Prof.Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Kazakh artist Zeynelkhan Mikhamedzhan, Turkish Cypriot artist Serkan İlseven and Former President Derviş Eroğlu made a speech each.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ; "Exhibition titled "Escape From Paphos" is a story of escape to freedom."
Near East University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ; “Immediately after the war in 1974, a parent and two children set off from south to north for freedom. It was obvious that it would be a long and difficult journey, and the escape should have been the night to avoid being caught. As soon as they begin to cross the steep mountains, the mother loses her balance, falls down and loses her life. Father is determined, does not give up. He succeeds to cross the mountains with his wife's lifeless body and children to the north. Escape was from Paphos, and the mountains transgressed towards freedom became the surname of our family." Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ summarized the theme of the exhibition of Turkish Cypriot artist Serkan İlseven called the “Escape From Paphos".

"Artists will receive the Silver Key and Fergani awards”
Reminding that the artists who will realize their solo exhibitions will be awarded the Silver Key and Fergani awards by Near East University, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said; "We sincerely thank all of the members of Günsel family who always stand by us with their experiences in all areas of life, all of our artists and employees for their participation in many important projects, especially in the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Project, and I wish you a happy, peaceful, healthy life full of art."

Zeinekhan Mikhamejan; “Talented artists come here but leave as gifted”
The Kazakh artist Zeinekhan Mikhamejan; "I would like to thank you very much for being here and sharing this moment with me. I am opening my solo exhibition here today, and for this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude and respect to Founding Rector Dr. Suat Günsel. Our friend and famous artist Sembigali said that talented artists come here but leave as gifted. After being here, after living in this atmosphere I understand that this is true. I wish everyone a long and healthy life while expressing our gratitude for everybody."

Serkan İlseven; "Supporting the artist means investing in the future of the society”
Turkish Cypriot artist Serkan İlseven stated in his opening remarks that supporting the artist is to invest in the future of the society and underlined that those who invest in art and the artist attach importance and value to the common memory of the society. For this reason, being a leader in the society, it is possible to support the artists by performing special works in the field of art and to give importance to common memory and belonging, he said.

"A society without art infrastructure cannot really reach science”
Artist Serkan İlseven continued as follows; "A society without art infrastructure cannot really reach science. New and creative scientific discoveries take place in societies with deep artistic background. It is possible to see this in all the developed countries in today's world. Art gives birth to science and science to technology. Countries with effective and competent art understanding and artists who have assimilated international norms have the power to make their voices heard in the world. Considering the state of our external contacts, the importance of international artists and their international artistic activities is an undeniable fact. This reality is also being expressed with the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts established as part of Near East University. An artist does not come to existence easily, talent is necessary but not sufficient to gain the identity of an artist”

Serkan İlseven stated that an artist does not come to existence easily and that his talent is necessary but not sufficient to gain the identity of an artist; He said; "Is time a must to work hard? Yest, it is a must but not enough. To be innovative is to run in front of society and even fly. It is a must but not enough. Is it imperative to imagine a war inside and outside for the sake of dreams? It is, but this is not enough, too. Is it necessary to remind Cyprus History, Turkish History and culture and to keep it alive in artworks? It is necessary but not enough. Is it essential to be the shining side of society and to always take part in the heart of society? Definitely it is a must. In other words, it is difficult to gain an artist's identity. It is even very difficult. is 10 times more of these virtues are available in my dearest teacher Dr. Suat Günsel. So, is he the greatest artist? Yes, he is. Before you leave, I ask you. Go up to the 9th floor of this building and look around and you will understand what I mean. There is the work of art."

Dr. Derviş Eroğlu; “I am one of those who think that the international language is art”
3rd President of the TRNC Derviş Eroğlu, in his speech, said that he was together with Dr. Suat Günsel at the time of laying the foundation of the university and that he has always been proud to see the developments in the university since then.

Eroglu; “The construction of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts has been going on. The exhibitions are bringing art lovers together and this is a great success of Dr. Suat Günsel. I am one of those who think that the international language is art. Therefore, the exhibitions where all these artworks are exhibited are one of the issues that I attach great importance to."

Dr. Derviş Eroğlu; “Dr. Suat Günsel deserves this compliment"
Former President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu continued with a joke; "I'm tired of congratulating our dear teacher, Suat Günsel, because we meet each day at the opening of a foundation, but he deserves this compliment, indeed.". Former President was applauded by those in the hall upon his complimentary words. Eroğlu continued as follows; "I congratulate our artists. I thank you for being with us and exhibiting your works."

FERGÂNİ and Silver Key Honor Award were presented to the artists, the bust was opened, exhibition ribbons were cut.
Former President Derviş Eroğlu presented the Silver Key Honor Award to Kazakh artist Zeynelkhan Mikhamedzhan and the Turkish Cypriot artist Serkan İlseven received the FERGÂNİ award given to painting artists within the scope of Alasia awards. Later, the bust of artist Serkan İlseven made by Talgat Duishebaev, the sculptor of Kyrgyzstan was opened by Former President Derviş Eroğlu, Minister of Tourism and Environment Ünal Üstel, and Founding Rector Suat Günsel. Then the exhibition ribbons were cut. The exhibitions can be visited at the exhibition hall of the Near East University İrfan Günsel Congress Center between 08.00-16.00 on weekdays until 27 January 2020.