Exhibition sheds light on Anatolia
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 30, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - ’Anatolian Civilization,’ an exhibition by artist Metin Asağ currently on show at Istanbul’s Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, sheds light on the 10,000-year history of Anatolia. Asağ aims to show the artistic impact of Anatolia in history.
The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art is hosting painter Metin Asağ’s exhibition "Anatolian Civilization." The collection sheds light on 10,000 years of Anatolian history, its wide geography and its many civilizations.
Considering the Western values of the new century, Asağ also features the 1,000Ğyear history of Turks and the art of Islam in this exhibition.
Asağ’s exhibition, open until Sunday, is divided into four sections: Anatolian Seljuk Empire, Hagia Sophia, Byzantium Empire and Ottoman Empire.
The exhibition predominantly focuses on the Islam period of Turkish art. With this exhibition, Asağ aims to show art lovers how wide the geographical, cultural and artistic impact the Anatolian lands have had on history, and to introduce its energy, creativity and cultural diversity to the world.
Asağ’s paintings are not limited to styles and schools but combine the old and the new with historical facts. As a result of the artist’s visual and historical research, missing pictures, engravings and mosaics have been completed, and he shows the richness of traditional art to viewers.
Exhibitions break records
Since the opening of the exhibition two weeks ago, "Anatolian Civilization" has received significant interest from the public and has set the record for number of visitors to a Turkish artist’s exhibition. The exhibition aims to be a model for studies on the protection of cultural values.
Asağ’s previous exhibition, held at the Hagia Sophia Museum in 2007, broke attendance records as well with 262,000 visitors, when 57,000 photos were taken in front of just one picture.
The artist, who receives proposals from international galleries and auctions, will continue his studies in Turkey and France.
Asağ’s exhibition project will continue abroad as part of the "Turkish Season in France" activities from July 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010, in France. He will also display work at an exhibition called "1,000 years, 100 works from Turks in History" in England next September.
He will continue introducing Turkish art to international audiences with new exhibitions to open in the United States, Italy, United Arab Emirates, China and Egypt.
Who is Metin Asağ?
Born in 1973, Metin Asağ has a master’s degree from Newport University Business Department. He has been creating paintings as a professional since 1996.
He has held exhibitions in many universities and private enterprises, at the Bursa International Festival, the Mersin State Fine Arts Gallery, in the foyers of Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, at the Hagia Sophia Museum and the Turkish and Islamic Antiques Museum İbrahim Paşa. His paintings are also on display in special collections and art galleries in Turkey and overseas in Italy, Greece, United Kingdom, France, United States, India, New Zealand, Russia and Canada.
The artist has created works that focus on Turkish art, calligraphy, patterns, illumination, tiles, and miniature painting from ancient civilizations and geography.
He expresses everything that seems unique to him in his paintings. Both historical civilizations and current geographies play a role in shaping his art. His knowledge comes from having a very good power of observation. Historical objects are reflected on his canvases without losing their natural, original appearance.
Address: Museum of Turkish and
Islamic Art İbrahim Paşa Sarayı,
Sultanahmet, Istanbul Tel: 0212 518 1805
Considering the Western values of the new century, Asağ also features the 1,000Ğyear history of Turks and the art of Islam in this exhibition.
Asağ’s exhibition, open until Sunday, is divided into four sections: Anatolian Seljuk Empire, Hagia Sophia, Byzantium Empire and Ottoman Empire.
The exhibition predominantly focuses on the Islam period of Turkish art. With this exhibition, Asağ aims to show art lovers how wide the geographical, cultural and artistic impact the Anatolian lands have had on history, and to introduce its energy, creativity and cultural diversity to the world.
Asağ’s paintings are not limited to styles and schools but combine the old and the new with historical facts. As a result of the artist’s visual and historical research, missing pictures, engravings and mosaics have been completed, and he shows the richness of traditional art to viewers.
Exhibitions break records
Since the opening of the exhibition two weeks ago, "Anatolian Civilization" has received significant interest from the public and has set the record for number of visitors to a Turkish artist’s exhibition. The exhibition aims to be a model for studies on the protection of cultural values.
Asağ’s previous exhibition, held at the Hagia Sophia Museum in 2007, broke attendance records as well with 262,000 visitors, when 57,000 photos were taken in front of just one picture.
The artist, who receives proposals from international galleries and auctions, will continue his studies in Turkey and France.
Asağ’s exhibition project will continue abroad as part of the "Turkish Season in France" activities from July 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010, in France. He will also display work at an exhibition called "1,000 years, 100 works from Turks in History" in England next September.
He will continue introducing Turkish art to international audiences with new exhibitions to open in the United States, Italy, United Arab Emirates, China and Egypt.
Who is Metin Asağ?
Born in 1973, Metin Asağ has a master’s degree from Newport University Business Department. He has been creating paintings as a professional since 1996.
He has held exhibitions in many universities and private enterprises, at the Bursa International Festival, the Mersin State Fine Arts Gallery, in the foyers of Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, at the Hagia Sophia Museum and the Turkish and Islamic Antiques Museum İbrahim Paşa. His paintings are also on display in special collections and art galleries in Turkey and overseas in Italy, Greece, United Kingdom, France, United States, India, New Zealand, Russia and Canada.
The artist has created works that focus on Turkish art, calligraphy, patterns, illumination, tiles, and miniature painting from ancient civilizations and geography.
He expresses everything that seems unique to him in his paintings. Both historical civilizations and current geographies play a role in shaping his art. His knowledge comes from having a very good power of observation. Historical objects are reflected on his canvases without losing their natural, original appearance.
Address: Museum of Turkish and
Islamic Art İbrahim Paşa Sarayı,
Sultanahmet, Istanbul Tel: 0212 518 1805