Turkish artist Koray Kasap has opened his first 3D art exhibition in the United States, held at an outdoor gallery in Morristown, New Jersey. The mixed-media show blends painting with everyday objects and features themes from Turkish culture, including works titled "Nefsini Terbiye Eden Derviş" ("The Dervish Who Trains His Soul"), "Ayasofya" ("Hagia Sophia"), and "Filistinli Anne" ("Palestinian Mother"). Kasap, a graduate of Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts and a former photographer known for album covers in the 1990s, uses charcoal and coffee instead of traditional paints. He has pledged to donate proceeds from the Palestinian Mother painting to Palestinian children.
This exhibition marks Kasap's transition from photography to painting, a shift he describes as a personal and spiritual responsibility. The show has drawn attention from both Turkish and American audiences, highlighting how contemporary Turkish artists are gaining visibility in the U.S. Kasap's use of 3D techniques and socially engaged themes—such as the Palestinian cause—also reflects a growing trend of artists combining tactile materials with political commentary in gallery settings.