The 8 March International Women’s Day Exhibition, opened at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall, will be open to visitors free of charge until April 15.
The “8 March International Women’s Day Exhibition” organized by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts in honor of International Women’s Day was opened at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center Exhibition Hall with the participation of the President of the Supreme Court Narin Ferdi Şefik.
Group exhibition bearing the signatures of academic artists of Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design and artists of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, 50 artworks consisting of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, printmaking and stained glass were brought together with art lovers.
At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, which will be open to visitors free of charge until April 15, President of the Supreme Court Narin Ferdi Şefik, Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Meltem Nalça Andrieu and Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Dean Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç made speeches.
Narin Ferdi Şefik: “To be an honorable, honest, hard-working and reliable individual, has a value beyond gender.”
Speaking at the opening of the “8 March International Women’s Day Exhibition” organized by the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, Supreme Court President Narin Ferdi Şefik said that it was the first time she attended the opening of an exhibition and expressed her happiness in being a part of such a meaningful exhibition. Narin Ferdi Şefik said, “March 8 is not only a celebration, but also a day to remember and support women who live in difficult conditions, whose rights have not yet been recognized or accepted in society.” Stating that there is still gender discrimination in some professional groups, she said, “As an individual working in the field of law, I can proudly say that there is no gender discrimination in my professional group.”
Stating that she believes that personality, not gender, is important for success, Narin Ferdi Şefik said: “Being an honorable, honest, hard-working and reliable individual has a value beyond gender. I do believe that art feeds the soul. Every branch of art gives people peace by distracting them from daily troubles and problems. While visiting this exhibition, I wish you to get away from all thoughts and just enjoy this art feast.”
Prof. Dr. Meltem Nalça Andrieu: “10 of the 20 deans at Near East University are women. 62 percent of our academic staff consists of women. Across the Near East Enterprises, the female employment rate reaches 65 percent.”
Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Meltem Nalça Andrieu started her speech by saying “Welcome to the opening of our 8 March International Women’s Day Exhibition, where we come together to honor and celebrate International Women’s Day with the creative power of art.” Prof. Dr. Meltem Nalça Andrieu also touched upon the “Women’s Studies and Multidisciplinary Approaches” symposium held before the exhibition.
Prof. Dr. Meltem Nalça Andrieu said, “Gender equality is the fundamental principle of the Near East Enterprises” and added, “This principle includes the equal representation and equal opportunity of women and men in education, business, politics, family and other social fields. At Near East University, 10 of the 20 deanships are held by women. 62 percent of our academic staff consists of women. Across the Near East Enterprises, the female employment rate reaches 65 percent,” he said.
Stating that at the Near East Enterprises, an understanding was adopted in which individuals were considered and respected with their abilities, regardless of their gender, Prof. Dr. Meltem Nalça Andrieu said, “The fact that there is a significant predominance of female artists in the exhibition we opened shows that the principle of equality based on talents in the field of art has been successfully implemented. Increasing the number of these institutions, where people are evaluated according to their abilities rather than their gender, will have a significant impact on social transformation.”
Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç: “This exhibition brings together our female artists to celebrate them who create miracles even in the chaos of daily life.”
Dean of Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç continued his speech by saying that women from past to present have played an important role as artists, creators, pioneers, supporters, art historians and critics.
Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, stating that the achievements of women were not made easily due to sexist prejudices, emphasized that women struggled despite all these difficulties and resisted the restrictions, and said, “Due to sexist prejudices, women had to struggle with many difficulties for many years to be accepted in the field of art. They struggled to break the chains of the restrictions imposed, and they managed to write their own free and original stories, despite the obstacles of the group that believed and labeled them as ‘second-degree artists’.”
Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç “Thanks to the women’s movements that gained momentum especially in the early 1960s, there was an explosion in the number of women studying and teaching in art schools. The representation of women, who advocate equality in all areas of life, has become visible in museums and galleries, paving the way for the change of the social structure directed by men all over the world. Thus, women have become the subjects of art discussions by drawing attention to identity, sexuality, politics and history.”
Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, quoting Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s speeches during the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, shared the statement, “The way to follow a safer and more correct path is to make the great Turkish woman a partner in our work.” Stating that they are proud to cooperate with women on equal terms in the fields of science and art under the umbrella of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç said, “I wholeheartedly congratulate all participating artists, especially our female artists who create miracles in the chaos of daily life. I wish you a good time with the desire to meet in new exhibitions in a world where violence against women and femicide have ended.”
