Nuray Erden, who prepared the "Touchable Paintings" exhibition at the Izmir Touchable Barrier-Free Modern Art Museum, where Izmir Metropolitan Municipality brings together the visually impaired with art, became one of the 8 successful women determined by the European Parliament worldwide. Ceramic artist Nuray Erden, who received the European International Women's Leadership Award, said, “İzmir Touchable and Barrier-Free Modern Art Museum is the first of its kind in our country and in the world. It has become our biggest source of pride and a ray of hope for the projects to be carried out inside and outside Turkey.”
The artist Nuray Erden, who produces and exhibits tactile works for the visually impaired to reach visual art at the Ornekköy Awareness Center of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, was awarded the European International Women's Leadership Award by the EP, thanks to her social responsibility projects and unhindered art works. Erden, who received his award at the ceremony held in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, presented his award to the citizens who lost their lives in the earthquake disaster.
The ceremony started with a moment of silence
Speaking at the ceremony that started with a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the earthquake, ceramic artist Nuray Erden said, “Tens of thousands of people lost their lives in the devastating earthquakes that took place in my country and our neighbor Syria on February 6, exactly one month. "I commemorate the people who lost their lives in this biggest earthquake of the last century and express my gratitude to those around the world for their tremendous support at this difficult time."
Delivered visual arts to the visually impaired
Expressing that he is honored to receive this award, Erden said, “I am excited to be on the same side with impressive women who have accomplished great things like you. Congratulations to everyone who received an award here tonight. I am here because I believe in the necessity of tactile art for the visually impaired. I am here because I believe that the discipline called 'visual arts' means nothing to the 36 million blind and 217 million people with severe visual impairment in this world. I am here because I was looking for ways to eliminate this meaninglessness with 25 ceramic artists from the Idol Art House, which I founded with my friend Görsev Bilkay 22 years ago. 10 years ago, we started to question ourselves and our art. Why couldn't the visually impaired come to our exhibitions? Why is it always forbidden to touch works in exhibition halls? And why isn't art for everyone? Thus, we have made all the exhibitions we have opened since that day touchable and perceptible with the alphabet for the visually impaired (Braille alphabet). We have included audio descriptions. You can imagine the astonishment of the visually impaired art lovers.”
İzmir Touchable Modern Art Museum, the only example in Turkey
Expressing that he was the host of the “Touchable Paintings” project at the Izmir Touchable Barrier-Free Modern Art Museum (IZDEM) two years ago with the support of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, the artist said, “IZDEM is the first of its kind in our country and in the world. As a symbol of inclusivity, the museum provides full access to 44 relief efforts. It has been our greatest source of pride and a ray of hope for the projects to be carried out in and outside Turkey. Mayor of Izmir Tunç SoyerI would like to thank . I am honored to receive this award on their behalf.”