Two solo painting exhibitions of Kazakh artist Gulnar Askarova and Azerbaijani artist Rafael Aliyev and two sculpture exhibitions of Kazakh sculptors Bagdat Sarsan and Zhanna Nurgerbek, all exclusively made for the project of Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, was opened by Hasan Taçoy, Minister of Economy and Energy.

According to the information provided by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, 18 artworks named "On the verge of eternity" belonging to Kazakh artist Gulnar Askarova and 23 artworks of Azerbaijani painting artist Rafael Aliyev named “My Childhood", and two separate solo sculpture exhibitions consisting of 10 sculptures of Kazakh sculpture artists Bagdat Sarsan and Zhanna Nurgerbek was opened by the Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy at the exhibition hall of Near East University.

According to the information provided by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy, the Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat İ. Günsel, Founding Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Cypriot National History Museum Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul, directors of the institutes, deans, lecturers, artists and invited guests attended the opening ceremony.

At the opening, Founding Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Cypriot National History Museum Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul, Kazakh artist Gulnar Askarova and Azerbaijani artist Rafael Aliyev, Kazakh sculptors Bagdat Sarsan and Zhanna Nurgerbek and Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy made speeches.

Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul; "Various paintings on the cave walls show that artistic activities have been going on since the past...”
Turkish Cypriot National History Museum Founding Chairman Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul, in his opening speech, stated that the information revealed by the archaeological and anthropological studies indicate that human beings have produced artistic features since the early ages, and even if the paintings created on the walls of caves or the sculptures created were all made for various purposes, all these artworks were indicators of uninterrupted continuity of art throughout time.

“Art is a way of understanding the world. Because art is the signature of civilization.”
Prof. Dr. Özkul; “Art is a way of understanding the world. Because art is the signature of civilization. It is a way of understanding not only the physical existence of the world, but also the whole world, especially the human world, the world of society, and spiritual experience, as science has been trying to do. In the past, art has been included in a similar classification to science and technique. However, art has a meaning beyond the discovery purpose of science which tries to identify the existence of the entity and of the mastery of the technique which leads to change of objects.

Art, on the one hand, requires a technical skill and on the other, recognition of the beings. An artist must have technical skills in using the painting brush, but also needs knowledge of colors. However, creativity and imagination are essential for the artist to create his artwork. The environment, in which the artists often reflect imagination and creativity, is directly influential on these issues. For example, the climate and natural beauties of the island of Cyprus and the positive effects of the workshops organized by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts on the imagination and creativity of our artists are visible in the works of our artists. In fact, the biggest effect of this is our Founding Rector. It is hidden in the inspiration of Suat Günsel to our artists."

"Countdown started to see Günsel on the road"
"As Near East University, we will soon add a new one to the pioneering services we provide to the Turkish Cypriot community in many fields such as education, science, health, technology and arts. I would like to gladly announce that Günsel, the first domestic car of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, of which foundations were laid in 2016, has reached the final stage and we will soon be able to see Günsel on the roads in all its glory. It is possible to see the traces of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan geographies, which have a rich culture and history, in the works of our artists. In today's exhibition, 18 works named "On the verge of eternity" and made by the Kazakh artist Gulnar Askarova for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, 23 works named “My Childhood" and made by the Azerbaijani artist Rafael Aliyev, and a sculpture exhibition consisting of 10 works of Bagdat Sarsan and Zhanna Nurgerbek from Kazakhstan will be exhibited. Our artists Gulnar Askarova and Rafael Aliyev used figurative, modern, abstract expressionist techniques in their works, while Bagdat Sarsen and Zhanna Nurberbek depicted the traditional life struggles and legends of the Central Asian Turkic world in their sculptures."

Gulnar Askarova; "It is a great pride for me to represent my country and my people”
Kazakhstan painting artist Gulnar Askarova started her speech by greeting the Founding Rector, the Protocol, and guests. "I sincerely thank Suat Günsel, all artists for their interest and support, and also for the opportunity provided to me to work, produce and leave a mark at the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. It is a great pride for me to work in this history-filled, holy land and most importantly to represent my homeland and my people. I wish everyone success and prosperity ”.

Zhanna Nurgerbek; “An important part of Turkish culture is preserved in sculptural stone monuments”
Zhanna Nurgerbek, a sculptor from Kazakhstan, emphasized that a significant portion of Turkish culture is preserved in sculptural stone monuments and said, "We still admire the stone sculptures of our ancestors in BALBALTAŞAŞ in Eurasia. This is an example that can inspire future generations. We are very glad to meet Founding Rector Günsel, who is able to understand the art of painting and sculpture and devoted his life to it, not his time. We thank your heart, soul and wonderful team. I would also like to thank our curators Sembigali Smagulov and Orazbek Esenbay. In the course of the study, we have been supported by Prof. Dr. Ali Edal Özkul, I especially express my gratitude to Ali Efdal Özkul who supported and cooperated with us throughout our way full of confrontations.”

Bagdat Sarsen; “I believe with all my heart the idea of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts.”
Bagdat Sarsen, another sculptor from Kazakhstan; "When I arrived at the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and saw the Near East University, I was amazed by the campus. I sincerely believe in the idea of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. Therefore, I will contribute with all my best, with all the sculptures I have produced and will produce here. I would like to thank Dr. Suat Günsel, the Rector, for providing us with this opportunity."

Rafael Aliyev; "We are grateful for the interest and support we have had”
Azerbaijani painting artist Rafael Aliyev emphasized that he used figurative, modern, abstract expressionist techniques in his works and expressed his gratitude for interest and support he received during the time he was in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. He said he was honored.

Minister of Economy and Energy, Hasan Tacoy said that he felt the difference as soon as he entered the hall, and he could not hide his excitement because he saw the sculptures next to the pictures.

Minister Taçoy said in his opening speech that the people around him have been constantly asking about what he was doing with all these exhibitions, and in response to these, he explained his answer; "There is the cruelty of the world and there is the need to experience a different event in every part of the destruction of life, even if it is too short to live". He said the exhibitions have taken him to a much different mood.

Minister Taçoy said: “Creating is not only information and informatics. Creating is a work of art. Reflecting what is inside."
Minister Tacoy; “Just as the darkness of the night allows the environment, nature and all the ugliness around us to be covered, the narrative of art makes it possible to reflect and remember many of the ugly events we experience in a very different way. It is necessary to be thankful that the art has shown us and the happiness we have experienced in this beauty and that it takes us beyond the pain. Creating is not only in knowledge and informatics, nor is it in research and development. Creating is a work of art. Reflecting what is inside. Creating is to show history in a very different way than you can see. Near East University is the place where all of these opportunities are brought together and shared with us. If we can show the culture at a later time, we owe this to art. Art is a comforting situation for us, and I would like to thank all those who created it and let us see it."

Silver Key Honor Award and certificates of gratitude presented, ribbons cut
Following the speeches, Minister of Economy and Energy Hasan Taçoy presented the certificates of gratitude to the Kazakh sculpture artists Zhanna Nugerbek and Bagdat Sarsen, and the Silver Key Honor Award to Kazakh artist Gulnar Askarova and Azerbaijani artist Rafael Aliyev. The exhibitions can be visited in the exhibition hall of Near East University Faculty of Communication between 08.00-16.00 on weekdays until January 24, 2020.