Moscow show provides glimpse into modern Turkish art

The State Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow has opened a special exhibition project titled "The Bilge Collection" until April 2, providing a glimpse at contemporary Turkish art in the Russian capital.

The exhibition aims to provide an insight into Turkish art through the eyes of Muhsin Bilge (1944 - 2014), a renowned Turkish collector and a passionate lover and patron of art. 

Curated by Irina Batkova, the exhibition presents a selection from Muhsin Bilge's private collection and features 65 works by 28 artists. The works include famous artists such as Bedri Rahmi Eyüboglu, Celal Tutant, Ergin İnan, Fahrelnissa Zeid, Fikret Mualla, İbrahim Örs, Kemal Önsöy, Komet, Mehmet Güleryüz, Nejad Melih Devrim, Özdemir Altan, Sabri Berkel, Şükriye Dikmen and Zeki Faik İzer, as well as young artists such as Serkan Yüksel, Arda Yalkın, Beyza Boynudelik, Füruzan Şimşek, Haluk Akakçe, Mustafa Özel, Volkan Kızıltunç and many more. 

At the opening ceremony of the exhibition on March 6, Turkish Ambassador to Moscow Hüseyin Diriöz said the collection consisted of selected works that Bilge had collected throughout his life with the support of his family. 

"Since his death in 2014, the collection has been run by his children Aslı and Ali. The efforts and collaboration between his son Ali and the State Museum of Oriental Art have no doubt played a big role in displaying these artworks to Russian people," the ambassador said. 

Ali Bilge emphasized that Turkish art was going on display in Russia for the first time since the 1930s. "After the exhibition of artists like İbrahim Çallı, Salah Cimcoz and Bedri Rahmi on Dec. 31, 1935, we are once again sharing Turkish modern and contemporary art with Russian people. We hope that we will not wait another...