A new exhibition titled Illumination of Miniature and Watercolour opened at the Yunus Emre Institute London last week. Works on show are by six graduates from the Marmara University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, who have interpreted traditional Turkish arts and watercolour painting with a modern perspective.
A spokesperson for the Institute said, “Traditional arts are a vivid reflection of the cultural richness of a nation. Turkey is blessed with being both a cradle of, and a gateway into diverse cultures. Its heritage can be seen in its fine history of traditional arts.”
Turkish miniature art has its roots in the Persian and Chinese traditions. Since Ottoman times, these small paintings have helped illustrate books. Unlike Renaissance painters, Ottoman artists preferred to use their works to hint at an infinite and transcendent reality.
These elements can be seen in the new exhibition in London, which feature the watercolour paintings of Gülşah Çaçan, Nurgül Tanrıverdi, Gülten Aygün, Nilüfer Sur, Asım Yiğit and Yılmaz Bulut.
Under a common brief of “I was a secret treasure, I wanted to be loved and known”, the six artists combined their futuristic interpretations and spiritual feelings about the subjects they presented. They include Istanbul landmarks, and depictions of past and present life in the city.
The exhibition forms part of YEI London’s Urbanisation and Civilisation Series.
Exhibition details
Title: ‘Illumination of Miniature and Watercolour’
Final day: exhibition runs until Thursday 8th June 2017
Opening times: Monday to Friday: 10.30 am – 8pm; Saturday: 10.30 am – 6pm; Sunday/Public Holidays: closed
Venue address: Yunus Emre Insitute, 10 Maple Street, London, W1T 5HA
Entrance: free of charge
For more info: email londra@yee.org.tr or call 0207 387 3036
