Turkish artist opens exhibit in Rome with support of Yildiz Holding

ISTANBUL

Turkish contemporary artist Ahmet Gunestekin opened his latest exhibition, Never There, at the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome with support from Türkiye’s Yildiz Holding, according to a statement by the company.

The exhibition, which runs through Sept. 28, features powerful works exploring memory, identity and historical trauma.

Curated by Sergio Risaliti and Paola Marino, Never There includes sculptures, video works and large-scale installations that invite viewers to reflect on suppressed histories and collective experiences.

Two of Gunestekin’s works, Sarcophaguses of Alphabet and Seven-Eyed Sun, have been acquired by the museum for its permanent collection, signaling growing international recognition of the artist.

Sarcophaguses of Alphabet, a major highlight of the show, is exhibited in the museum’s neoclassical hall alongside Antonio Canova’s Hercules and Lichas, creating a dramatic dialogue between classical and contemporary expressions. It was permanently donated to the museum by Yildiz Holding.

Another striking piece, Reminiscence Bump, is composed of thousands of worn rubber shoes and displayed in a gallery surrounded by classical war paintings. It reinterprets historical trauma through contemporary materials and evokes themes of displacement and resilience.

The exhibition includes another of the artist’s signature work, Seven-Eyed Sun, which has also been acquired by the museum.

Yildiz Holding Board Member and pladis and GODIVA Chairman Murat Ulker said Gunestekin’s work serves as a powerful reminder of art’s ability to preserve cultural memory.

“Art is a timeless, universal language. It allows us to revisit the past through today’s questions,” said Ulker.

“We are proud to have donated Sarcophaguses of Alphabet to the museum, both as a tribute to history and a legacy for future generations,” he said.

Yıldız Holding Chairman and CEO Mehmet Tutuncu emphasized the company’s support for Turkish artists on the global stage.

“As we have seen in previous collaborations with Ahmet Gunestekin, his work captures deep human truths,” he said. “We view art not only as an aesthetic contribution, but as a means of shaping collective well-being and cultural understanding.”

Yildiz Holding, known for global brands such as Ulker, GODIVA, and pladis, has exhibited Gunestekin’s works at its Istanbul, London and New York offices, and continues to support initiatives that elevate Turkish art internationally.

Never There is one of the most significant international exhibitions of Gunestekin’s career and is seen as a major step forward in amplifying contemporary Turkish voices in the global art world.