Ankara State Fine Arts Gallery, which draws attention as one of the important projects of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has opened its doors to art lovers in its registered backgammon building in the Capital Millet Garden. With this transformation, the gallery aims to breathe new life into the art life of the capital by preserving both its historical and cultural texture. The opening event also hosted the beginning of the exhibition titled "One Place-Two Painters".
"One Place-Two Painters": The Memory of Art
The exhibition titled "One Place-Two Painters" presented to art lovers at the opening event consists of the works of the gallery's first directors Cemal Bingöl and Osman Zeki Oral. While the exhibition sheds light on the artists' period, it also aims to reflect the excitement and enthusiasm of the gallery's founding years.
Prof. Dr. Orhan Bingöl spoke about his father Cemal Bingöl's passion and vision for art in his speech at the opening:
"My father adopted painting not only as a branch of art, but as a way of life. In the 1940s, he aimed to bring art to a wide audience by exhibiting his students' works at home and abroad."
Osman Zeki Oral's passion for children's paintings and his pioneering work in this field were also emphasized at the event. Prof. Hasan Bekmezci expressed the artist's vision by saying, "One of Osman Bey's dreams was to establish a museum where children's paintings would become permanent. I think steps should be taken to make this dream come true."
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Batuhan Mumcu Speaks at the Opening
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Batuhan Mumcu, who attended the opening, touched on the importance of the exhibition and the gallery's contributions to its new building. Mumcu said, "We believe that the Ankara State Fine Arts Gallery will continue to be a meeting point for art lovers in Ankara with exhibitions and various events in its new home."
Mumcu stated that he believes the new gallery will be an important meeting place for art lovers and said, "As the Ministry, we continue to restore and re-function our historical buildings and turn them into such beautiful places. We will continue to contribute to the art world by continuing the same devoted work."
Founded in 1963 and leaving its mark on a period, the gallery hosted many national and international exhibitions and reached record numbers of visitors at the time. Mumcu said, "Since its establishment, this gallery has fulfilled an important cultural function. Today, it has reopened to present art to a wider audience."
A Historical Journey with the "One Place-Two Painters" Exhibition
The "One Place-Two Painters" exhibition opened in the new building of the Ankara State Fine Arts Gallery takes the gallery on a historical journey. The works of the gallery's first directors, Cemal Bingöl and Osman Zeki Oral, were exhibited in a way that would make the opening of the gallery meaningful. The exhibition not only impresses art lovers, but also aims to relive the enthusiasm of the gallery's founding and the excitement of the early years.
Cemal Bingöl's son, Prof. Dr. Orhan Bingöl, spoke about the exhibition, remembering his father's life intertwined with art and what he contributed to the art world, and said, "My father adopted art not only as a profession but also as a way of life. The works exhibited here today and this exhibition aim to carry the values of the past to future generations."
Reflections of Art in Education: Emphasis on Children's Art
Prof. Dr. Hasan Bekmezci provided important information about the history of the gallery. Bekmezci, who mentioned the building on Atatürk Boulevard, one of the first settlements of the gallery in the 1960s, said, "Cemal Bey and Osman Zeki Oral were not just painters. They were known for their passion for children's art. Even in the 1940s, despite the period of poverty, they organized exhibitions of children's paintings." Bekmezci also mentioned Osman Zeki Oral's dream of establishing a Children's Paintings Museum and drew attention to his pioneering work in this field.
New Projects from the Ministry of Culture
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Batuhan Mumcu stated that they continue to restore historical structures as a ministry and continue to transform them into art galleries in the process. Mumcu said, "This building is also a registered building that was part of Ankara's first hippodrome. It was restored by our ministry and transformed into the Ankara State Fine Arts Gallery. This gallery is of great value not only for Ankara but for all of Turkey."
In addition, Mumcu said, "In the children's painting competition that we will organize on April 23 this year, we will organize award-winning events with a different concept and increase our support for children's art."
New Era, New Investments
The new building of the Ankara State Fine Arts Gallery aims to blend historical and cultural riches with the understanding of modern art. The gallery aims to carry the cultural and artistic activities that the Republic has carried out for a century to the future with the vision of the Century of Turkey in its registered historical building.
With events that will include all types of art, Ankara art lovers will benefit from the magic of the new gallery. The gallery, which promises a future full of exhibitions and events, will continue to make significant contributions to the art world both locally and internationally.
Source: https://www.ticarihayat.com/bir-mekan-iki-ressam-sergisi-tarihi-galeride-acildi