“Fine Arts January Exhibition”, which brings together 50 works of award-winning academic artists, and the “3rd International Photography Contest Exhibition” were opened at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall with the participation of Minister of Internal Affairs Dursun Oğuz.

The first exhibitions of 2024, held by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, were opened at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall with the participation of the Minister of Internal Affairs Dursun Oğuz. Among the exhibitions opened, the “Fine Arts January Exhibition”, which was organized by the academic artists of the Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design and the artists of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, brought together 50 works consisting of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, printmaking and stained glass. The “3rd International Photography Contest Exhibition” brought together the winning works of the 3rd International Photography Contest organized by Near East University Communication Research Center (İLAMER) with art lovers.

Opening speeches of the exhibitions, which can be visited free of charge until February 15, were made by Minister of Internal Affairs Dursun Oğuz, Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ and Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Dean Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç.

Dursun Oğuz: “Art; It is the expression of free thoughts and ideas.”

Minister of Internal Affairs Dursun Oğuz emphasized that the TRNC has broken new ground by pioneering the fields of education, health, automotive, culture and art with many projects carried out by the Near East University and the Günsel Family, and stated that the country’s development in the field of culture and arts is as important as its economic development.

Touching on the importance of creativity in art, Dursun Oğuz said, “Art is the expression of free thoughts and ideas. Each work has a different meaning, a different message and deep thoughts. Everyone has a piece of art. Everyone evaluates from his own point of view, his own experiences and his own emotional state. For this reason, each work has different meanings for different individuals.”

Stating that art touches people’s emotional world and offers a unique experience to each individual, Dursun Oğuz said, “This diversity is one of the basic elements that make up the beauty and richness of art. I hope that the artistic activity heralded by the first exhibitions of 2024 will grow and proliferate.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “This artistic productivity, in the center of which we have the privilege of living, has a great impact on the productivity of all Near East Family members, especially our students and academics.”

Stating that art exhibitions give people the opportunity to experience different perspectives, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “These events provide an important platform to feel the power of art and meet different perspectives.”

Underlining that the Near East University Campus is also a major art center, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “This artistic productivity, in the center of which we have the privilege of living, has a great impact on the productivity of all Near East Family members, especially our students and academics.”

Stating that Near East University was the source of half of the scientific articles published by TRNC universities in 2023, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “This rate, which we have reached by exceeding the 1,700 article threshold, is extremely important as it shows the leading role we have assumed in social progress by combining our artistic productivity with scientific productivity.”

Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç: “The artist, who is mentally free and comfortable, can focus more deeply on his inner world.”

Dean of Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç drew attention to the impact of artists’ lives on their works and said, “Contrary to popular belief, not all artists lived difficult and stormy lives. Many survived by following completely ordinary paths. However, some of them completed their lives lurching in depression.”

Stating that they use the difficulties artists face while creating their works to reveal their creativity and deepen their works, Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç said, “Still, the artist does not have to suffer to produce works. Because the process of creating a work is already a series of ordeals in itself. The stress, pressure and responsibilities of daily life can limit the artist’s intellectual energy. However, the artist, who is in a mentally free and comfortable state, can focus more deeply on his inner world and express his creativity more freely.”