By Heidi Trautmann
I have the pleasure to enclose here the invitation by two people who have taken a personal initiative to support forces that fight the scourge for mankind: Cancer, who relentlessly go on researching to reduce the death quotes.
Both the exhibitors, Nermin Anıl and Göksan Yamacı present themselves on the invitation card as ‘amateur artists’, the one in painting, the other in photography, I have hardly seen that happen before. I was moved. On the evening of February 19, I went to attend the opening event and it was full house. Among the many guests, important and official guests. I met Mustafa B A Camgoz, Prof. of Cancer Biology and founder of the Kanser Arastırma Vakfı and Pro Cancer Research Fund, who made a welcome speech to thank for the two artists’ initiative; simultaneously he advertised the association’s 10th Orchid Walk on February 24, which explained the presence of at least twenty Turkish Airlines staff who will accompany the walk.
Before the red ribbon was cut to open the exhibition, Nermin Anıl and Göksan Yamacı addressed the audience with words coming from the heart and they expressed their own thoughts about their first exhibition. I would like to share with our readers the welcome speech by Nermin Anıl which I find worthy of being published as a whole; it shows her honesty, humour, wisdom and love of life, I have not changed the text.
Dear Honorary President, dear friends,
You are all welcome. This is my first exhibition. I am open to the constructive criticism of my artist friends present here. I hope with my next exhibition I’ll deserve your praises.
To bring myself into a better position with respect to painting, to find my style and reflect it to the canvas, I believe I had to change my inconstant and impatient character.. but changing is not easy. To be successful, one needs to travel in calm and still water. But as we all know life is not as smooth as traveling on a sea of olive oil..
From time to time man can be struggling with the waves to get to the shore.
Life is a struggle.. When I was struggling to find the path of my life, I came across artistic paints.. I became friends with them. The colour of my life became painting and embroidery. It was like a therapy, I can only recommend it.
We are living in a world where it is more and more difficult to be happy and enjoy life.
Our nature is being destroyed. The air we breathe is getting polluted…. And most important we find that whatever we eat and drink, vegetables, fruits, milk are stuffed with chemicals, they have hormones, they are carcinogen.. It is soo difficult to be aware of them and react accordingly.
In the news we hear of the astronomic amount of money paid for the transfer of a football player from one team to another…..Like 5 million Euros.
On the other side, scientists spending their 24 hours in the laboratories to find a cure for the malady called Cancer…Did any of you hear or know of such financial support given to them??
Today there are two reasons for us in getting together: One of them is to present to you my dear friend Göksan Yamaci’s beautiful photographs and my oil paintings I produced during the last two years,
And the other reason is, to make a small contribution, to support, as much as we can, to the Cancer Research Fund established by the Turkish Cypriot Scientist Mustafa Camgoz
Before I finish, I would like to thank the admirable owner of Ezic Premier, Mehmet Ezic who has offered tonight’s treat for our reception.
Please do not delay good things to tomorrow. When we plan properly, life will go on. Take each moment as your most valuable jewellery and don’t let the mud of life dirty your trousers.
It is so nice to have you here, Welcome and stay with love.
Most of the paintings and photographs were sold. I am sure that Nermin’s words have touched us all and the paintings and photographs on display were just as honest and well done. Thank you, Nermin and Göksan.
The exhibition is open only until February 22, unfortunately.