Home    Happenings   May 2003

Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula May 9, 2003 Text © 2003 Michele Anderson and Turquoise Gallery Press Releases. Photos of Devrim Erbil paintings © 2003 Turquoise Art Gallery. Other photos © 2003 Michele Anderson.

"Exotic Winds" exhibit to open May 9 at new Turquoise Gallery

HANCOCK -- The new Turquoise Art Gallery in Hancock will host the exhibit, "Exotic Winds: Devrim Erbil and his studio," beginning with a reception at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9, and continuing through June 2.

The collection includes etchings created by various techniques, including lithography, zinc and silk screen.

This work by Turkish artist Devrim Erbil appears on the poster advertising the exhibit, "Exotic Winds: Devrim Erbil and his studio," which opens at Hancock's Turquoise Art Gallery with a reception at 6 p.m. on May 9.

Born in Usak, Turkey, in 1937, Devrim Erbil is a famous Turkish artist, well known throughout Europe. His work has been exhibited on three continents and in 21 different countries and has won both national and international awards. Since 1970, Erbil has been a professor in the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in Istanbul. In 1990 he became Dean of the Painting Faculty there.

Hancock resident Sevil Soyer, adviser to the Turquoise Art Gallery, was a student of Erbil's when she studied painting at Mimar Sinan University. Soyer says this exhibit offers residents of the Copper Country an opportunity to see a selection of internationally important art.

This abstraction of a tree is one of the Devrim Erbil works to be exhibited from May 9 through June 2 at the Turquoise Art Gallery in Hancock.

"There is a surprising unity inherent in Devrim Erbil's art," notes Soyer. "For Erbil it is a matter of vital importance that the rhythmical abstraction that Erbil is so interested in receives special attention through line and contour that extend the independent elements of the work."

In addition to Erbil's art, the exhibit includes works by artists in his studio: Zuhdu Muridoglu, Sadik Altinok, Ayse Ozel, Merih Akcam, Cigdem Erbil, Seydi Murat Koc, Murat Pulat, Ismet Cavusoglu and Acem Sahin.

Turkish Artist Sevil Soyer, right, and her sister, Serpil Narmanli, whose background is in advertising, are working to bring interesting exhibits and art activities to the area through their Turquoise Art Gallery in the E.L. Wright Building on North Lincoln Drive in Hancock. Here they pose together at the Grand Opening of the gallery on April 11, 2003.

On April 11, 2003, the Turquoise Art Gallery opened in the E.L. Wright Building on North Lincoln Drive (U.S. 41) in Hancock with an exhibit of pastel paintings titled "Cats" by Turkish artist Niyazi Toptoprak.

The Grand Opening attracted both art lovers and cat lovers.

"It's absolutely beautiful," said Friederike Greuer of Hancock. "This is great talent."

"Especially for cat lovers," added her mother, Heidi Greuer. 

"I'm an obsessive cat lover," said June Michaelson of Chassell, as she admired some "cat" tee-shirts on sale in the gallery.

Photographer Joe Kirkish was also on hand for the Grand Opening.

Photographer Joe Kirkish of Houghton discusses with Serpil Narmanli the design in a piece of Turkish pottery on display in the Turquoise Art Gallery during the April 11 Grand Opening.

"It expands our artistic horizons to see good art by good artists from another part of the world," Kirkish noted.

Houghton artist Fredi Taddeucci also commented on the "Cats" exhibit.

Houghton residents Jan Dalquist, left, and Fredi Taddeucci admire some traditional Turkish pottery on display during the April 11 Grand opening of the Turquoise Art Gallery in Hancock.

"I think it's a beautiful show. I like cats," Taddeucci said. "The eyes really get to you."

Added Marianna Tontcheva of Houghton, "Every cat has a personality. That's what is fascinating."

Marianna Tontcheva of Houghton studies the eyes of one of Niyazi Toptoprak's "Cat" paintings during the Grand Opening of the Turquoise Gallery.

Sevil Soyer, who has studied at Finlandia's International School of Art and Design during the four years she has lived in the Copper Country, is a leading contemporary Turkish artist herself. She is included in the Turkish Artist Encyclopedia and has had many exhibitions and received a number of awards.

"We would like to bring some new art possibilities to this area," Soyer said. "Some famous European and American artists will share their experiences with the people here." 

Sevil Soyer, center, poses with her two children and friends during the Grand Opening reception at the Turquoise Art Gallery on April 11. Pictured, from left, are San Soyer, Su Soyer, Cameron Hulkkonen of Detroit, Heather Maclean of Houghton and Mehves Soylu of Charlottesville, Va.

Soyer -- who works with her sister, Serpil Narmanli, and brother-in-law Haluk Narmanli at the Turquoise Gallery -- said future plans for the gallery include art discussions, art shows, video shows, workshops and dance shows -- free and open to the public -- similar to what is done in European galleries.

The Turquoise Art Gallery is Suite 305 in the E. L. Wright Building, 801 N. Lincoln Dr. in Hancock. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information call 487-5515 or email turquoiseart@pasty.com.

Visit the Keweenaw Now discussion forums to comment on this article.