“Labor and Humanity” Exhibition Opens in Yenişehir, Mersin…
Organized by the Education and Science Workers' Union (Eğitim-Sen) Mersin Branch and brought to the national arena from the union's balcony, the “Labor and Humanity” themed painting exhibition opened its doors at the Yenişehir Municipality Ahmet Yeşil Art Gallery with 54 works by 46 artists. Speaking at the opening, Yenişehir Mayor Abdullah Özyiğit said, “Sometimes you can't express your feelings, your troubles, with words. But with art, with a painting, you can express it in such a way that that cry reaches the whole world.”
The 3rd National Painting Exhibition, organized by the Education and Science Workers' Union (Eğitim-Sen) Mersin Branch, opened its doors at the Yenişehir Municipality Ahmet Yeşil Art Gallery with the theme “Labor and Humanity.” Featuring works by artists from different cities across Turkey, the exhibition attracted great interest from art lovers. The opening ceremony of the exhibition was attended by Yenişehir Mayor Abdullah Özyiğit, Education-Sen Mersin Branch President Mahmut Sümbül, artists, academics, educators, and numerous guests. A total of 54 works by 46 artists were presented to art lovers at the exhibition. Speaking at the opening, Education-Sen Mersin Branch President Mahmut Sümbül emphasized the importance of labor and solidarity, saying, “First of all, I would like to thank Yenişehir Municipality. I hope that in the coming years this exhibition will meet art lovers in many centers across Turkey.”
FROM UNION BALCONY TO NATIONAL EXHIBITION
Painter and academic Veli Mert stated, “Initially, we held a small exhibition on the union's balcony, also titled ‘Labor and Humanity.’ Later, the union wanted to expand this event. We formed a special executive committee for the national exhibition. We created a legal framework between the artist and the union by preparing a set of specifications. Then we issued an open call. 145 works were submitted from different cities across Turkey. We invited artists selected from among the works evaluated by a nine-person jury. Ultimately, 54 works by 46 artists were included in the exhibition. The fact that the jury members were chosen from different universities and art circles across Turkey strengthened the national character of the event. It is extremely important for a union to produce a nationwide culture and art project. Moreover, starting this in Mersin is very valuable. Our goal is to bring this exhibition to art lovers in cities like Diyarbakır, Ankara, and Istanbul.”
THE YENİŞEHİR MODEL HAS CROSSED TURKEY'S BORDERS
Yenişehir Mayor Abdullah Özyiğit stated, “Education Union, in a move befitting itself, spearheaded this exhibition, which conveys the process we are going through through art. The fact that the exhibition is based on two sacred values, labor and humanity, is extremely valuable. To date, we have brought together more than 3,000 works of art with art lovers at the Ahmet Yeşil Art Gallery, providing a very important service to our city in this field. Although our esteemed artist Ahmet Yeşil is not physically with us today, his spirit and art are always with us. I would like to thank the selection committee, my colleagues who manage the gallery, and everyone who contributed.” Mayor Özyiğit, noting that the seeds of education they sowed during his time as provincial chairman have now transformed into an international model, said: “When Eğitim Sen (Education Union) is mentioned, the first concept that comes to mind is undoubtedly 'labor platform'. This takes me back to my time as provincial chairman. Before becoming mayor, during my time as provincial chairman, we organized an Education Workshop with the participation of Eğitim Sen, Eğitim-İş (Education Workers' Union), and professors from universities. In that workshop, we examined Turkey's education system and faced a harsh reality: Our country was last in Europe in pre-school education rates. We never forgot this important finding and the information we obtained from it when we became mayor. To address this deficiency, we developed an education model that would be an example for Turkey, starting from Yenişehir. We implemented our 0-3 year old early childhood education and 3-6 year old skill-based education centers. Today, we have achieved commendable results. This model we developed, both in its physical structure and educational content, has reached municipalities in different parts of Türkiye, and even Sofia.”
He added that the educational model they developed has now become an example for Turkey.
"ART CRIES OUT WHEN WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH."
Referring to the "skill-based exam" system planned by the Ministry of National Education for the 2027-2028 academic year, President Özyiğit stated, “The Ministry of National Education indicates that from the 2027-2028 academic year onwards, exam questions will be prepared with a 'skill-based' approach. In other words, it will no longer be rote learning; it will measure not what a person knows, but what they can do, how they can apply their knowledge to life. My fellow educators will understand exactly what I mean. We had foreseen this vision years ago and taken our steps accordingly. Inspired by our past collaborative work with Eğitim Sen (Education Union), I wanted to share with you the success achieved today by the projects we produced in the positions we held. Sometimes you can't express your feelings and troubles in words. But you can express them through art, through a painting, in such a way that the cry reaches the whole world. With the wish to walk shoulder to shoulder in a world full of peace, justice, and modernity... I greet you all with love and respect. I'm so glad you're here, I'm so glad you exist.”
(The last sentence is a separate, unrelated statement and not part of the preceding text.) This special selection, which re-examines the existential journey of being human and of labor through the aesthetic language of the brush, invites the viewer to a mental and sensory exploration. The exhibition will continue to touch the intellectual memory of art lovers at the Yenişehir Municipality Ahmet Yeşil Art Gallery until September 30th.
Source: https://www.yenisehir.bel.tr/tr/yenisehirde-emek-ve-insan-sergisi-acildi