Special Exhibition Marking the 75th Anniversary
The textile design exhibition titled ‘Ataların Sesleri’ (Voices of the Ancestors), organized in collaboration between Izmir University of Economics (IUE) and the Embassy of Ireland, opened to art enthusiasts at the Izmir Chamber of Commerce. Held to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Ireland, the exhibition featured a total of 46 pieces inspired by the cultural heritage of both countries. Prepared by IUE’s Department of Textile and Fashion Design, the exhibition reinterpreted historical symbols, archaeological artifacts, traditional crafts, and decorative motifs through contemporary textile design. The works drew inspiration from a wide range of historical periods, from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages to the Viking era, the Middle Ages, and the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Featuring creations by students and academics through drawing, pattern development, and textile design, the exhibition will remain open to visitors until Friday, October 23.
The exhibition was prepared as part of the course Drawing and Presentation Techniques for Fashion Design, taught by Irish instructor Angela Burns at IUE’s Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Department of Textile and Fashion Design. The opening ceremony attracted a large audience, and the exhibition brought together the contributions of three academics and 39 students.
WILL STRENGTHEN CULTURAL TIES
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ireland’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Clare Brosnan, emphasized the value of bringing the rich cultural heritage of the two countries together through the universal language of art. Noting that the Voices of the Ancestors exhibition had given new life to cultural values spanning generations through the creative perspectives of young designers, Brosnan highlighted that the collaboration with Izmir University of Economics would further strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
AN INVITATION TO ART ENTHUSIASTS
Emre Kızılgüneşler, Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce and a member of IUE’s Board of Trustees, expressed his pleasure at hosting such an important and meaningful exhibition and thanked everyone who contributed to its preparation. Kızılgüneşler invited art enthusiasts to visit the Izmir Chamber of Commerce Exhibition Hall and experience the works firsthand.
“CREATIVE WORKS BROUGHT TOGETHER”
Sharing further details about the exhibition, Prof. Dr. Elvan Özkavruk Adanır, Acting Dean of IUE’s Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, said, “Our students researched historical symbols, archaeological artifacts, decorative motifs, and traditional crafts, transforming them into contemporary textile designs. The exhibition also features works by Instructor Angela Burns, Asst. Prof. Duygu Ebru Öngen, and myself. In this way, the creative works of our students and academic staff have come together. I believe this exhibition will not only celebrate the longstanding friendship between Ireland and Türkiye, but also inspire the creation of new connections through art, design, and education.”
