Joint Turkish art exhibition opens in London

Glitzy opening day launches week-long art exhibition at the Strand Gallery

Seven Turkish artists launched a joint exhibition in London over the weekend to showcase their work.

The display at the Strand Gallery, entitled Istanbul Meets London, ran all week displaying the paintings of Aysegul Coles, Renk Erbil, Savas Simitli, Suat Cetinkaya Orgun and Ufuk Uyanik, photographs by Erdal Turkoglu and Veyis Polat and jewelery by Suat Cetinkaya Orgun.

Cem Işık, Turkey’s chargé d’affaires in London, joined artists, fashion experts and collectors at the exhibition launch

Organised by Fashion and Art consultant Zeynep Ober in collaboration with Art consultant Gulce Ilken and Event Manager Devrim Karabulut, the showing was open to the public all week between 29 April and 5 May.

Cem Işık, the chargé d’affaires at the Turkish embassy in London, praised the event in short remarks: “This exclusive exhibition demonstrates the different aspects of the cultural and social values of Istanbul and Turkey by the works of seven strong and emerging Turkish artists through a wide range of artistic mediums.

Suat Orgun

“I believe that this exhibition will also be an opportunity to introduce some of the best contemporary Turkish art to international curators, artists and galleries in London.

“Such an inspiring exhibition is also an enriching experience for the cultural and artistic diversity of London as a cultural hub.”

Savaş Simitli (right)

Organiser Zeynep Ober said they hoped to enthuse and attract art lovers by presenting a glimpse of contemporary eastern culture at the heart of a western one.