Adana is preparing to host a significant exhibition that intertwines the historical depth of Mesopotamia and Çukurova with contemporary art. Opening on January 18 at the Adana Seyhan Çırçır Art Center, The Skin of the Earth: From Mesopotamia to Çukurova will feature the works of 43 artists. The exhibition, curated by Ezgi Bakçay, is organized in coordination with Kun Art Space, known for its contemporary art projects in the Çukurova region. Supported by the Adana Metropolitan Municipality as well as the Seyhan and Yüreğir Municipalities, the exhibition will remain open until February 8.
The 43 artists featured in the exhibition stand out for their ability to interpret different branches of art in their unique styles. The participating artists include: Ahmet Rüstem, Hakan Sarar, Amar Kılıç, Ayhan Akikol, Bawer Doğanay, Bedia Ekiz, Beşir Bayar, Delal Eken, Dilan Demir, Duvok, Ekin Keser, Erdoğan Kaplan, Ezgi Özten, Ferhad Salman, Hakan Çapkan, Hamza Kırbaş, Hesen Chalak, İbrahim Ayhan, Mahmut Akdemir, Mehmet Çimen, Mekin Avras, Murat Özbakır, Mustafa Boğa, Mustafa Duymaz, Mustafa Özbakır, Nadan, Nini Önözden, Oben Yılmaz, Özgür Eryılmaz, Ramazan Bayram, Rıdvan Aşar, Robin Çoban, Sefa Çatuk, Serap Özergin, Sinan Kaplan, Sinem Dişli, Sıla Somer, Studio Pinprick, Tahsin Engin Gökten, Tao Ulusoy, Tifak Arslan, Veli Mert, and Yüsra Dirik.
Curator Ezgi Bakçay summarized the theme of the exhibition in her written statement:
“The Skin of the Earth invites viewers to explore the intertwined stories of earth and humanity by bringing together artists who have lived, created, and been inspired by Mesopotamia and Çukurova. The participating artists revisit these two regions through the intellectual and imaginative horizons that the land opens up. Themes such as memory, belonging, ownership, justice, and freedom sprout from the soil of Mesopotamia and Çukurova. The land, known as the birthplace of literature, finds its voice in contemporary art: To what do we truly belong? What we possess or what we have lost? Is homeland the place we were born, the place we thrive, or merely a mythical land? When did our ancestors settle down? Have we ever truly settled?
The Skin of the Earth exhibition delves into the sacredness and unifying power of land, alongside its eroding value due to shifts in ownership and production relations. It traces new social, sensory, and perceptual dynamics surrounding the land. The exhibition collectively opposes extractivist mindsets and ecocide that view geography as valuable only when exploited for resources.
The artists gathered for The Skin of the Earth produce with a non-anthropocentric approach, embracing the idea that land is not a legacy but a trust. What is entrusted from the land is the shared memory of all living and non-living beings. “The land is a site of memory; it remembers. Stones, roots, and dust sense and record like a body. As the shared memory of peoples accumulates layer by layer in the skin of the earth, the past awaits to be heard. The land is as much a space for abundance as it is for grief and mourning. The voids left by traumas are hidden within the soil. Confronting the land is about taking responsibility and demanding justice—not only for those who came before but for those yet to come.”
In this exhibition, the artists listen to stories that began long before their births, emanating from Mesopotamia and Çukurova. That voice, though stifled by the noise of cities, the buzz of social media, or the force of authority, always makes itself felt from the ground beneath. It breathes beyond what we know and possess.”
Kun Art Space, a contemporary art gallery renowned for its major exhibitions and art events in the region, plays a significant role in realizing such a comprehensive exhibition in Adana. Founder Elif Sezer, who has tirelessly worked to bring contemporary art to Adana in recent years, emphasizes her belief in the city’s art potential at every opportunity. In an interview with Artdog Istanbul, Sezer said:
“We can define Çukurova’s art potential as dynamic, diverse, and ripe for discovery. The region’s geographical location and openness to various cultural interactions provide a fertile ground for all forms of art, from traditional to contemporary. While Adana’s rich gastronomic heritage has put it on the map, the city has remained in the background as a birthplace for numerous artists across disciplines. Likewise, the number of local artists creating and living in Adana, as well as its art audience, is surprisingly large.”
The Adana Seyhan Çırçır Art Center, where the exhibition is being held, was built in the 1950s. Once serving as a Çırçır Factory contributing to the city’s economy, the building was transformed into an art center by the Seyhan Municipality in 2023, enriching the region’s cultural and artistic landscape.
Named after artist Fatoş İrwen’s eponymous work, the Skin of the Earth exhibition can be visited daily from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Adana Seyhan Çırçır Art Center between January 18 and February 8.
