“Reform” Painting Exhibition opens in Ankara
Founded in 1932, the People’s Houses held an important place in the Young Republic’s attempts to strengthen and spread Atatürk’s reforms. The People’s Houses were founded with the aim of transmitting and spreading the global vision of the Republic rule to the public through intellectuals and local leaders, and reviving the cultural structure of society. They served as an important tool in the efforts to attain complete independence and to reach the level of modern civilization.
Operating in nine different areas, the Fine Arts branch of the People’s Houses received particular attention. Courses on music, painting, sculpture, architecture, and decorative arts were offered in this branch, where young talents were given the opportunity to work and display their works. Operating under the directorship of Artist Refik Bey (Epikman), the Ankara Halkevi Fine Arts Branch was particularly active in opening exhibitions. Not only could artists freely display their works at the People’s House, but the Committee of Fine Arts also organized special exhibitions there.
Opened on November 2, 1933 in commemoration of the Republic’s 10th anniversary upon the suggestion of Dr. Reşit Galip, the “Reform” Exhibition was one of such special events. The exhibition, which Mustafa Kemal Pasha also visited, brought together works with the “reform” theme, produced in the last decade. Halil (Dikmen), Arif Bedii (Kaptan), Eşref (Üren), Refik (Epikman), Mahmut (Cûda), ,brahim (Çallı), Hamit (Görele), şeref (Akdik), Cemal (Tollu), Turgut (Zaim), and Hikmet (Onat) were among the artists featured in the exhibition.
While touring the exhibition, Atatürk spent some time viewing one work in particular and asked his company, “I really like this painting. Did you purchase this?” That particular painting was şeref Bey’s (Akdik) work entitled, Millet Mektebi (National School).
