The Art Installation Dedicated to the Light of Atatürk, Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the İSTEK Foundation
Unveiled as part of the Republic Day celebrations, the art installation has now been opened to public view with a special ceremony.
Designed in honor of the 40th anniversary of the İSTEK Foundation, this special art installation symbolizes an ideal dedicated to Atatürk, the Republic, education, and humanity. It was unveiled at a ceremony held on Friday, October 31, 2025, at the Yeditepe University Rectorate Building. Thus, both the 40-year journey of the İSTEK Foundation and the Republic's 102nd anniversary were crowned by a meaningful work of art.
In his opening remarks, Founder and Honorary President Bedrettin Dalan highlighted that education and art are the most influential forces shaping a nation's future.
“I learned the importance of founding schools from Atatürk himself. For anyone who feels Turkish, Atatürk is a red line — a guiding principle. He granted us not only independence but also the freedom to think.
Atatürk’s words, ‘A nation deprived of art means one of its vital veins has been severed,’ remind us how essential art is. That is why, in both the İSTEK Foundation, which I established 40 years ago, and Yeditepe University, which was founded 30 years ago, art has always been a priority.
Yeditepe University’s Faculty of Fine Arts is Türkiye’s first “Faculty of Fine Arts within a Foundation University.” Here, our students see art not merely as an aesthetic expression, but as a space for intellectual freedom. This art installation will forever remind future generations of the importance of discovering their own identities and remembering their roots and values.”
Dr. Gürbüz Doğan Ekşioğlu, internationally renowned illustrator and Vice Chair of the Department of Graphic Design, described the creative inspiration behind the art installation:
“This piece, prepared for the 40th anniversary of the İSTEK Foundation, draws inspiration from Atatürk’s principles and reforms, the founding values of the Republic, and the enlightening power of education.
I incorporated symbolic elements from the Foundation’s logo into the composition — the sun, knowledge, and ascent metaphors merge with Atatürk’s human-centered vision.
The design brings together the Foundation’s 40-year journey and Atatürk’s universal legacy through an artistic narrative.
Art is the most enduring language through which a society expresses its values.
This art installation is not merely a visual design, but a symbol that carries the light of the Republic into the future.”
Prof. Dr. Teymur Rızayev, faculty member of the Department of Plastic Arts and Painting, who painted the portrait of Atatürk featured in the art installation, shared his perspective:
“To paint Atatürk is not simply to create a portrait; it is to portray a nation’s struggle for existence, its faith in independence, and its trust in science and art.
In this art installation, it was a great honor for me to reflect Atatürk’s determination, vision, and timeless leadership.
Dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the İSTEK Foundation, this piece is not only a tribute to Atatürk, but also an expression of gratitude to education, science, and art. I hope every student who passes by this wall finds their own path in Atatürk’s gaze.”
Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts Prof. Gülveli Kaya highlighted the art installation as a reflection of the institution’s artistic and cultural identity:
“This art installation, created to celebrate the İSTEK Foundation’s 40th anniversary, reinterprets the Foundation’s core values through the symbolic elements of its logo with an artistic approach. However, it is more than a simple representation — it was designed and implemented by the university’s own faculty members. Therefore, the institution communicates its values through its own artists, originating from its very essence. For a university that both develops and upholds its own principles, making them visible through art is one of the clearest expressions of Yeditepe University’s holistic vision. This art installation serves as a lasting symbol of Yeditepe University’s educational philosophy — one that unites science, art, and free thought.”
Now permanently displayed in Yeditepe University’s Rectorate Building, this art installation for the İSTEK Foundation’s 40th anniversary embodies the enduring legacy of educational tradition inspired by Atatürk’s vision and the university’s commitment to art.
