Identities and Representation

Identity is the overarching theme of this project, and under it, three separate exhibitions were organized, each exploring different aspects of identity. 

The project didn’t merely showcase art but created a whole ecosystem: Exhibitions, International artists, Embassy support, film screenings, talks and workshops. Together, these elements formed a rich cultural program that examined identity from multiple perspectives while opening space for dialogue and exchange.

Identity and representation: 

The first exhibition under the Identity project. It explored how people and communities are defined and shown in society.

Our identities are not simple—they are shaped by many factors such as culture, race, gender, sexuality, religion, and class. At the same time, the way identities are represented has a strong influence on how we see ourselves and how others see us. Representation can inspire, but it can also create stereotypes and reinforce biases.

This exhibition brought together works across art, literature, and popular culture. Each artist offered a personal perspective, sharing how identity is experienced, expressed, and sometimes challenged.

Visitors were invited to think about important questions: How do social norms shape who we are? How do expectations affect the way we present ourselves? And how can we resist labels to live more authentically?

Above all, the exhibition was about reflection and choice. It encouraged people to look at their own identities, question stereotypes, and celebrate diversity. By doing so, it aimed to inspire more inclusivity, respect, and understanding for all.

What Made This Exhibition Different?

This was a platform for dialogue and exchange. Alongside international artists, the exhibition was supported by Embassies and featured a wide range of programs, including film screenings, talk sessions, and workshops. These activities created space for deeper conversations, learning, and collaboration.

By combining diverse artistic voices with interactive events, Identities and Representation went beyond showcasing artworks. It became an immersive experience where people could reflect, connect, and engage with the complex idea of identity in meaningful ways.

Color of my soil? 

What does it really mean to belong?

Is “home” a place, a memory, or something we carry within us?

Colour of My Soil? is an exhibition that explores identity, heritage, and the landscapes that shape us. Here, “soil” is more than physical terrain—it is also the cultural, historical, and emotional foundation that defines our sense of self.

This exhibition goes beyond presenting artworks. It creates a platform for dialogue, where artists and audiences reflect on questions of belonging, homeland, and identity. By sharing stories and experiences, Colour of My Soil? encourages empathy, understanding, and meaningful connections across borders.

For those who leave their homeland, the question of belonging becomes even more complex. Migration creates new homes but also leaves behind traces of uprootedness. The original home feels lost, and the idea of belonging grows blurred. What is home, then? This exhibition invites us to explore that question together.

Through artworks that act as both mirrors and windows, Colour of My Soil? reflects the inner self while offering a glimpse into the lives of others. It is a shared space where personal memories meet collective histories, and where identity, heritage, and place intersect.

Ultimately, Colour of My Soil? is a journey for everyone—a reminder that while our paths may differ, our search for belonging and identity is a shared human experience.

Why is this exhibition different?

• Exploration of Identity: “Colour of my soil?” develops into the profound journey of self-discovery and introspection. It goes beyond the surface-level expression of identity and explores the essence of our existence, acknowledging the narratives that have shaped us.

• Multidisciplinary Artistic Expression: The exhibition showcases a diverse range of artistic media, including painting, sculpture, photography, video, and mixed media installations. This multidisciplinary approach enables a rich and immersive experience, engaging visitors through multiple sensory channels.

• Symbolic theme: The exhibition’s theme, “Colour of my Soil?” carries profound symbolic significance. It emphasizes the fundamental connection between our identities and the land from which we originate. Our soil not only represents the physical terrain but also the cultural, historical, and emotional foundation that informs our sense of self.

• Community engagement: In addition to showcasing thought-provoking artworks, the exhibition aims to foster dialogue and understanding within the community. The emphasis on community engagement ensures that the exhibition’s impact extends beyond the confines of the gallery space.

Nostalgia and Futurism: In the realms of memory and anticipation 

This project explores what happens when someone leaves their home—the soil they once belonged to. A sense of longing follows them. Home starts appearing in everyday things around them, but only as an illusion. The real home has changed, and what remains is the memory of it. Nostalgia lingers, shaping how one sees the world.

Yet, nostalgia does not exist alone. As time passes, the pull of memory meets the push of the future. Life moves forward, and people begin to weave their past into what comes next. The memories of “home” become part of building a new one, blending longing with growth, and sentiment with possibility.

Nostalgia and Futurism look at this balance between past and future, tradition and change. It explores how memory and anticipation shape the human experience. In a rapidly changing world driven by technology and shifting societies, the artists in this exhibition invite us to reflect on how our roots and our dreams come together to create what lies ahead.