Dreams, Realities, Images

In celebration of the 90^th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, Pera Museum engaged in its new exhibition in a reading of recent Turkish history through examples of modern Turkish painting and images. Curated by Ekrem Işın and presenting a wide variety of works by artists such as Avni Arbaş, Nuri Iyem, Abidin Dino, Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, Cihat Burak, Turan Erol, Nedim Günsür, and Yüksel Arslan, this selection attempted to offer a new look at the Republic through the plastic arts, and covers themes like the years of the National Forces, rural life, migration, slums and urbanization, the isolated individuals of modern life, and interpretation of the past.

The Adventure of an Image: Brief History of the Republic
Initially, the image of the Republic was rooted in the land. The value associated to this fruitful resource has assumed its meaning within this context: The belief in being able to stand on one’s own feet, spirit of sharing with the public, a sense of morality sensitive to the warmth associated with being poor... It was a dream. Then, the image set out on a journey through history towards reality. The image, which reflected human tragedy in the steppes and on barren lands, emigrated to cities with caravans loaded with hope. It was stopped at city gates and denied entry for a long time, unwelcomed. Life in the slums became a haven for new dreams. The Tower of Babel, the contemporary City, built by people and events stacked on top of each other, was the last stop for the Republic’s image. Having felt social fatigue here for the first time; the image needed to look behind and reinterpret the heavy legacy on its back. Modern Turkish painting has become the social art of an image that has witnessed recent history, joined its adventure, and pondered at each breaking point.

Artists: Erol Akyavaş, Hakkı Anlı, Avni Arbaş, Yüksel Arslan, Bedri Baykam, Cihat Burak, Adnan Çoker, Tiraje Dikmen, Abidin Dino, Devrim Erbil, Turan Erol, Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, Mehmet Güleryüz, Neşet Günal, Nedim Günsür, Nuri İyem, Oya Zaim Katoğlu, Komet, Mehmet Pesen, Burhan Uygur

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