The “Republic” exhibition, which brings together the works of academic artists alongside primary and secondary school students, has opened at the GÜNSEL Art Museum Exhibition Hall in honor of the 43rd anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Held as part of the 43rd-anniversary celebrations of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the “Republic” exhibition is now open to the public at the GÜNSEL Art Museum Exhibition Hall. Featuring a diverse range of artistic production, from painting and sculpture to ceramics and printmaking, the works reflect the artists’ personal interpretations of the concept of the “Republic” and their unique modes of expression.
The exhibition, which conveys the historical legacy of the Republic and hopes for the future through various artistic languages, includes 50 works by 19 academic artists. It also showcases pieces by 17 primary and secondary school students from the Near East campuses in Nicosia, Kyrenia, and Yeniboğaziçi. In this way, the works of academics and students are brought together under one roof, capturing the spirit of the Republic through the eyes of different generations. As the 487th exhibition organized under the auspices of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, it is open to the public free of charge until November 25.
Rector of the University of Kyrenia, Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, and YÖDAK (Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council) members Prof. Dr. Remziye Terkan and Prof. Dr. Murat Tezer and Nicosia mayoral candidate Mehmet Aktunç attended to the opening ceremony. The opening speeches were delivered by Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Prof. Erdal Aygenç, and an AI-based academic, AI Prof. Dux. Stating that the Republic represents the ideals of freedom, modernity, and a shared future, AI Prof. Dux remarked, “Art and culture play a vital role in upholding these values. No matter how much technology advances, the foundation of art remains rooted in human emotion, imagination, and labor. While artificial intelligence can accompany creativity, it cannot replace the human element. We keep our Republic alive through art, and we shape the future by combining human creativity with technology.”
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “Our duty is to further advance the achievements of our Republic through science, education, culture, and art.”
Emphasizing that the Republic is not merely a form of government, but an expression of a society’s collective will to take ownership of its shared future, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “The Republic represents a society’s consciousness in determining its own destiny and safeguarding its common values.” Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ noted that it is the responsibility of every generation to sustain the Republic and pass it on to those who follow, adding that universities serve as key pillars in upholding this responsibility. He also highlighted the significance of art in transmitting social memory and shared values. Şanlıdağ stated, “While science shows us ways to understand and transform the world, art enables us to question the perspective through which we view that world.”
Noting that the convergence of diverse techniques, interpretations, and artistic approaches under one roof aligns with the pluralistic structure of the Republic, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ emphasized that a shared future can only be built by embracing differences and uniting around common values.
Pointing out that the productivity of Near East University in the field of art not only enriches cultural life but also strengthens the bond between society and art, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ remarked, “On the 43rd anniversary of the founding of the TRNC, we honor our past while acknowledging our responsibility toward the future. Our mission is to further advance the achievements of our Republic through science, education, culture, and art.”
Prof. Erdal Aygenç: “The Republic is love, friendship, and modernity.”
Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, described the Republic as a social transformation shaped by reason, science, culture, and art by emphasizing that art is an essential component of the quest for freedom and social development. Giving examples from art history, Prof. Aygenç highlighted the approach of French painter Paul Cézanne regarding the significance of color and line in reflecting the soul of a nation, as well as the perspective of Spanish sculptor Eduardo Chillida on the relationship between art and freedom. Prof. Aygenç noted that the Republic itself is a reflection of this very concept of freedom. Aygenç said, “The Republic is love, friendship, and modernity.”
Expressing that a bright future for society will be shaped by the creative contributions of scientists and artists, Prof. Aygenç noted that the initiatives of Near East University and the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, which bring together science, technology, and art, serve as a concrete example of this vision. He remarked that the artworks created, the museums established, and the various cultural and artistic projects undertaken represent significant steps that shed light on the country’s future.
