An exhibition by Kurdish painter Ömer Eken opened in Amed on 9 November.

Artist Eken’s exhibition is called “Images of Time” and will be hosted at Amed City Theater until 30 November.

Speaking to ANF about his work, Eken talked about what subjects he deals with in his paintings and his following projects.

Eken, who stated that his paintings in the exhibition were the product of his studies during and after his time as an academy student said: "The paintings I made as a student are mostly picturesque and minimalist, while the work I do after the academy are more questioning and philosophical paintings. They draw on the contradictions and my quest for solution”.

Eken said he has a workshop in the central Ofis neighbourhood, in Amed. As to his next project, he said: "I have painters in my workshop who are my students. I am trying to train new artists. I think I will stay here, and I think that my people here need artistic activities. To say that ‘the community does not understand us and our work, so there is no point in staying here’ is an easy way out, an easy way to avoid things. On the contrary, I invite all my artist friends to work here”.

I’d like to give my lessons in Kurdish

Eken said that he would like to give lessons in Kurdish but most of his students do not know Kurdish enough. "It is regrettable that most of my students do not know Kurdish enough to be taught in their mother tongue”.

Drawing attention to the fact that there are a lot of financial difficulties when it comes to make art in Kurdistan, Eken continued: “Maybe this is why the artists have to escape from here”.

Ömer Eken has painted a large drawing about the Kurdish question. "I am painting a big drawing of the last 100 years of the Kurdish problem. I am painting on canvas. My greatest aim is to promote art. To bring art close to people. Opening the exhibitions on the streets is my biggest dream”.