Within the scope of 15 April World Art Day, Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) is hosting a solo exhibition titled “ÇARE-SİZ-LİK” (Helplessness) by EMU Art Coordinator Zehra Şonya. The opening ceremony of the sculpture exhibition took place on Wednesday, 17 April 2024 at 07:00 p.m. at Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center. The said exhibition consists 20 metal artworks of Zehra Şonya and is the fourth solo exhibition of the artist.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, TRNC Parliament Member Şifa Çolakoğlu, EMU Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu, academic personnel, students and art enthusiasts.
Addressing the audience during the ceremony, EMU Art Coordinator Şonya thanked everyone for their participation and expressed that EMU has been hosting an important exhibition on 15 April each year. Noting the great significance of art, Şonya stated that 15th of April has become a day celebrated with the intention of attracting attention towards the importance of art. Moreover, Şonya expressed her wish for art to come down to the streets. Holding an important place in the art history of Cyprus, Şonya commemorated late artists Ayhan Menteş and Ali Atakan whose names were given to two exhibition halls located within the Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center. Şonya also emphasized the importance of archival and museum studies.
EMU Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Zorlu also delivered a speech at the event, commencing with a welcome for the attending of the event which was organized within the framework of 15 April World Art Da and, highlighting that EMU has always put great importance to art alongside the academics. Stressing that as EMU, they are ready to support all kind of studies involving effort and devotion, Prof. Dr. Zorlu wished all art-lovers and artists a happy World Art Day. Expressing her hope for art to also overflow into the streets of the country and become a part of daily life, Prof. Dr. Zorlu conveyed her gratitude to those involved. Prof. Dr. Zorlu also emphasized that, in order to fulfill the debt of gratitude owed by EMU, the names of two important artists were given to two halls in the congress center. After her speech, Prof. Dr. Zorlu presented flowers to the artist Şonya.
Following the opening speeches, the exhibition opened its doors for visitors. The text authorship of the exhibition was done by Derya Ulubatlı and Tuğçe Arslan. ‘ÇARE-SİZ-LİK’ exhibition will be open for visitors until 30 April 2024 between 10:00 a.m. and 05:00 p.m. Art enthusiasts who wish to visit the exhibition on Saturdays can pay a visit between 01:00 p.m. and 03.00 p.m.
