- Attaching great importance to cultural and artistic events as well as scientific work, Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) is hosting the photography exhibition “Roots”, in which Dutch photographer of Turkish origin Ahmet Polat tells the story of his family roots that began in Gaziantep.
- Ahmet Polat, the first Turkish artist to win the young photographer award at the 22nd Infinity Awards organised by ICP (International Center of Photography), one of the world’s most important photography institutions, made his first visit to his family’s villages in Gaziantep with his father in 2019. The exhibition, which carries the traces of that visit, is curated by the Hasan Kalyoncu University Faculty of Communication and Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture. The exhibition can be visited at Hasan Kalyoncu University until 31 March 2023.
The “Roots” exhibition, in which photographer Ahmet Polat tells the story of his family roots that began in Gaziantep, was opened the other day at the HKU Congress and Culture Centre with the support of Kalyon Holding and under the curatorship of the Hasan Kalyoncu University Faculty of Communication and Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture. The exhibition had previously been presented to art lovers at Taş Konak in Nişantaşı, hosted by Kalyon Kültür. The opening was attended by Reyhan Kalyoncu, Chair of the Social and Cultural Affairs Committee of Kalyon Holding; HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli; Haticenur Yerlikaya, spouse of Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya; Gülden Gül, spouse of Gaziantep Governor Davut Gül; Zeliha Dereli, spouse of HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli; Zehra Büyükekşi, spouse of TFF President Mehmet Büyükekşi; Fatma Demirel, Consul General of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in Gaziantep; Mehmet Berk, Acting Mayor of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality; Bora Tezel, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Gaziantep; academics, students and invited guests.
“The land is important, but for me roots are more important”
Photographer Ahmet Polat, who said he had waited 40 years to set out on this journey, said: “My father always talked about the land. The land is important, but for me roots are more important. That is why I started this exhibition 7 years ago. We held the first opening of this exhibition at the Kalyon Culture Centre. My father came to the opening there, but we lost him last year to the coronavirus. Before he passed away he had asked, ‘Can you bring this exhibition to Gaziantep?’ Today we have brought that exhibition to Gaziantep. I thank Reyhan Kalyoncu in particular, Kalyon Kültür and Hasan Kalyoncu University, who contributed to bringing the exhibition to Gaziantep.”
“This time in Gaziantep we meet with visual delight”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Reyhan Kalyoncu said: “Exactly 999 days ago, in Istanbul, we opened Kalyon Kültür, which would host culture and the arts. Our first exhibition was Mr. Ahmet Polat’s exhibition titled “Roots”. Dear guests, after those 999 days, today in our Gazi city we meet with the visual delight offered by a native of Gaziantep. As our renowned photographer Ara Güler said, ‘Life is an empty film given to you. Try to fill every frame perfectly’ – and today, at this moment, with this exhibition, you are doing exactly that. Artist, curator and researcher Ahmet Polat is our pride. The international awards he has received and the exhibitions he has held in important museums make not only him but all of us proud. With the ‘Roots’ exhibition he brings us together with identity, origin and heritage. I thank everyone who contributed.”
“We are grateful for an exhibition that reminds us to strengthen our roots”
HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli said they were delighted to open a very meaningful exhibition at Hasan Kalyoncu University, which has successfully carried out many cultural and artistic events, and said: “we are grateful to our esteemed artist, who shares with us these photographs that remind and urge us never to forget and always to strengthen our roots, our family and kinship ties, and to those who contributed to organising the exhibition”.
News: Çetin KARABIYIK /HKU
