Feminen Art Gallery opens its doors with the "Light and Colors" exhibition...
– The gallery, which has launched in Çengelköy, features works by Cemal Toy and Sevkan Torun, as well as pieces by İlhami Atalay and his family, in its inaugural exhibition.
Founded by antique dealer and painter Sevkan Torun, the Feminen Art Gallery has welcomed art enthusiasts with its opening exhibition titled "Light and Colors."
Bringing together diverse artistic approaches and unique interpretations under one roof, the painting exhibition showcases works by Torun, Cemal Toy, and İlhami Atalay, alongside pieces by Atalay's family members: Mediha Atalay, Bilgehan Atalay, Ömer Atilla Atalay, and Elif Atalay.
Uniting the art of painting with antique pieces on a shared cultural platform, the gallery aims to host artist gatherings, various art events, workshops, and cultural activities in addition to exhibitions.
– "It is our duty as a family to support the opening of the gallery"
Speaking to an Anadolu Agency (AA) reporter, painter İlhami Atalay noted that Sevkan Torun—the gallery's founder—was his student. "I take pride in seeing each of my students reach a significant milestone," he said. "It is our duty as a family to support him in opening this gallery; we feel obligated to assist in every way and offer him encouragement."
Regarding the venue's history and atmosphere, Atalay remarked, "This is a beautiful building; hopefully, auctions will be held here in the future. He has organized them before; he has a background in the antiques trade and a strong network. We believe he will succeed here. We are happy if we can offer our support." Encouraging exhibition visitors to start building a collection by purchasing the artworks on display, the artist shared his thoughts: "Since it is a miniature gallery, the paintings we can offer are tiny—small-scale works. Art lovers should see this small, miniature exhibition. They should start by buying small paintings, and then they can scale up."
– "Such galleries and initiatives are of immense importance in the metropolis of Istanbul"
Painter Cemal Toy noted that he primarily paints scenes of Istanbul and has eight works featured in the exhibition.
Mentioning that his acquaintance with Atalay dates back 40 years, Toy said, "I had the honor of being a student of İlhami Atalay. He accepted me as his assistant, and I worked in that role from 1986 to 1997. Later, he told me to open my own studio. I opened the studio and—thank God—have trained hundreds of students."
Explaining that they subsequently began collaborating on joint projects and worked together on numerous social responsibility initiatives, Toy remarked, "There are so many artists around us, and it is crucial for their work to reach art lovers. Such galleries and initiatives are of immense importance in the metropolis of Istanbul. Ms. Sevkan has succeeded brilliantly in this endeavor, creating an art gallery that brings a breath of fresh air and a new sense of excitement." Sharing details regarding the techniques and themes of the works, Toy noted:
"I strive to reflect images and visuals of Istanbul—scenes that have vanished or are on the verge of disappearing—in my work. I generally draw upon the tradition of miniature painting, creating a composition that blends this with modern and abstract art. A wide range of techniques, from paper-based methods to acrylics, can be seen in these pieces. I have previously held exhibitions in Berlin and Paris; these works serve as a continuation of Istanbul's colors."
– "We want to create a welcoming environment that brings artists and art lovers together"
Sevkan Torun, the gallery's founder—who is also a painter and an antique dealer—expressed her honor at having her mentors participate in the opening, stating, "For many years, we have been creating our work in the sincere atmosphere of our studios. The primary goal of the Feminine Art Studio was to practice our art in a warm, welcoming setting."
Explaining their decision to showcase these works to art lovers at the gallery, Torun said:
"We felt the time was right. Works created in our studio, as well as pieces by other artists, will be exhibited here. We aim to create a welcoming space that brings artists and art lovers together across all forms of traditional and visual arts. With its historic character, Çengelköy offers a peaceful and intimate atmosphere, and we want our gallery to be equally accessible and inviting." Stating that the events would continue throughout October, Torun said, "Alongside this exhibition, there will be workshops, art therapy sessions, and seminars led by our esteemed instructors. We are going to have a month packed with activity. We will also host exhibitions of antique collections at the gallery. I am a collector of textiles and porcelain objects. To us, antiques are works of art; we will display them just like paintings and share the stories, histories, and original purposes behind their creation."
– "They will see works reflecting diverse perspectives together"
Painter and art teacher Muhammed Bilgehan Atalay noted that 13 of his works were featured in the exhibition, stating, "Since our studio is a boutique space, the artworks are also small in scale. We included pieces that have a sketch-like quality in the selection precisely because of their compact size. The exhibition feels like a family gathering; there is a piece of everyone in it. Visitors will have the opportunity to see works representing diverse styles and perspectives all in one place."
Painter Elif Atalay mentioned that her paintings featuring cats and full-moon themes were part of the exhibition, adding, "Sevkan Torun was my father's student. This space used to be an art studio before he transformed it into a gallery. We came together as a family for its opening, which brings us great joy. Having grown up in the same environment alongside Cemal Toy, it feels like a family exhibition; a truly delightful and warm atmosphere has emerged."
Painter and art teacher Ömer Atilla Atalay also shared that five of his Istanbul-themed works were on display and invited art lovers visiting Çengelköy to come to the gallery.
Following the opening event held in the gallery's garden—which included speeches by the artists—visitors toured the exhibition and viewed the artworks.
Source: https://www.haber1.com/guncel/feminen-sanat-galerisi-isik-ve-renkler-sergisiyle-kapilarini-acti/