Scandal as nude paintings removed from exhibition

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

The nude paintings in the exhibition were taken off the walls at the Eskişehir State Fine Arts Gallery. DHA photos

An art exhibition by Emin Gülören, titled “ArtNüyet” and on display at the Eskişehir State Fine Arts Gallery, was censored as nude paintings in the exhibition were taken off the walls, gaining the attention of Eğitim-Sen Branch Manager Ali Paşa Şanlı.

“When our friends entered the gallery to visit the exhibition, they saw that the pieces were taken off the wall and reversed. We have learned that someone closed the exhibition and we do not know who,” Şanlı said, noting that the culture directorship was not responsible for the issue.

“We need an announcement from someone who is responsible. Someone, who did not want those paintings [displayed], may think those paintings are against his or her thoughts, however, in art there are no limits.” An artist can draw whatever he or she likes, Şanlı said, “The necessary permissions had already been taken.”
 
Raising eyebrows

Gülören said he did no know who ordered this and nobody had informed him of the situation. The artist held a press conference in front of the gallery regarding the incident, which raised eyebrows throughout much of the public.

“[Some think] art is something to be afraid and ashamed of when the main focus is nude portraits. When the drawings are nude they become something like a seduction or threat,” Gülören said in a written statement.

According to a representative from the Eskişehir State Fine Arts Gallery, the exhibition is closed to audiences. “We are state employees and we are forbidden to talk about this.” “Artists first present their work on a CD to the board and if the board says yes the paintings can be exhibited. Gülören did not [display the same] paintings that he had showed the board before,” a culture and tourism administration representatives said.

The exhibition, which was to host 29 nude portraits, is the 16th solo exhibition at the gallery and will run until Dec 24. The exhibition hosted many guests, including Eskişehir Mayor Yılmaz Büyükerşen.