Gallipoli Art Prize 2015
Judges were presented with a difficult task in culling this year’s entries in the annual Gallipoli Art Prize, with a record number of entries. The unique art prize will again tell the personal stories of war and the people involved.
Amongst this year’s finalists is Turkish- Australian artist, Mertim Gokalp. Gokalp’s portrait of Donald Keys, the grandson of L/Sgt Samuel Keys, will feature as one of his 20 portraits in The Descendants Project, which aims to commemorate ANZAC history. Gokalp saw his entry as the perfect opportunity to explore his Turkish past and Australian future.
“This year is very significant for me from a Turkish-Australian perspective, as it is the 100th year of the war, which marks the first connection of the relationship between two nations,” he states.
Growing up in a country that Gokalp says ”has always [had] political turmoil”, the artist acknowledges its impact upon his own life, stating, “Consequently war has effected my childhood, which affected who I am and my perspective today. As to the effect of this on my painting, of course this has effected how I have painted Donald.”
Artists were asked to create their image upon the themes represented within the ANZAC creed. Each of the 36 finalists’ works will be accompanied by personal reflections upon their conceptions.
“The most important thing about the Gallipoli Art Prize is the fact that it promotes peace through art. It is very important that it is open to everybody, Turks and Anzacs, who has a connection to Gallipoli, this strengthens the bond between,” concludes Gokalp.
