HEMHAL CERAMIC COMPETITION AWARDS PRESENTED

The Hemhal Artistic Ceramics Competition and Exhibition, held as part of the 4th International Menemen Pottery Festival organized by the Menemen Municipality, met with art lovers in the 400-year-old Tashan.

At the opening ceremony of the Hemhal Artistic Ceramics Competition and Exhibition in Tashan, where awards were presented to the winners, Menemen Mayor Aydin Pehlivan said, "Our competition, which featured 120 domestic and foreign works, is one of the most concrete examples of the strength of our festival."

In his opening speech, Mayor Pehlivan emphasized the importance of cultural heritage, saying, "It's incredibly valuable to be with you, esteemed artists and academics, in Tashan, a 400-year-old cultural heritage. As Ataturk said, 'Art is the ladder to high civilization,' with every work you produce, you add a new step to the ladder of civilization. Thank you, may you prosper. The 57 works in this area today add to the strength of our festival."

One of the festival's most popular events, the Hemhal Artistic Ceramics Competition and Exhibition, was curated this year by Ebru Ilbeyci Alkan and Berfin Goktas. Among the 120 entries from Turkiye and around the world, 57 were deemed worthy of display by the jury and presented to art lovers.

 This year, the jury members of the competition consisted of Prof. Hasan Baskirkan, Prof. Lale Dilbas, Prof. Nureddin Gulacti, Prof. Vedat Kacar, Prof. Fatih Karagul, Prof. Efe Turkel, Assoc. Prof. Nalan Danabaş, Assoc. Prof. Dicle Oney Erturk, Assoc. Prof. Memduha Candan Gungor, Dr. Abbas Akbari and Architect Ayse Elci.

At the opening ceremony, awards were presented to the winners of the competition. Birsen Unluturk won first place for her work "We Are Human, Wea Are One”, Gulay Bozdag came in second for her work "View” and Sevgi Kilinc came in third for her work "My Village”. Kamuran Ak, Nurgin Cetin, and Ozan Bebek received honorable mentions, while Derya Deniz received the Yildiz sima Special Award for her work "Dialectic of Clay”.