Women of The Republic – Cumhuriyet Kadınları
Women of The Republic Series 2015
Created with transparent ‘handmade paper’, each ca. 52 cm high coloured figurines, under glass display case 60x50x50 cm
This series of paper figures represents the political designs that have been created for the new Turkish woman since the founding of the Turkish Republic.
The Turkish woman, who was to be given new forms after the dress revolution, would wear military uniforms such as Western sportswear, uniforms with hats as a sign of the Soviet revolution or Sabiha Gökçen, the adopted daughter of Atatürk, who personally took part in the air raids to suppress the Kurdish minority, in the celebrations and parades organized according to the political climate.
A new Turkish national identity must be created that is free from the characteristics of minorities and religious beliefs, and the women who will wear this identity must dress according to Western patterns.