The Türkiye Pastel Sanatçıları Topluluğu (Community of Pastel Artists), led by Javad Soleimanpour, has opened its fifth edition of the “Dust and Light” pastel painting exhibition at Mete Plaza/Mete Art in Istanbul. The show features 120 artists and 120 works, with an opening ceremony attended by art enthusiasts and guests. Honorary guest professor Sinan Canan delivered a keynote on the relationship between science and art, while painters Olga Abramova and Remzi Iren served as honorary guests and jury members. Three works received prizes, and the exhibition is free and runs through May 25.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the vibrant community of pastel artists in Türkiye, bringing together a large number of contemporary works in a specialized medium that often receives less attention than oil or acrylic. The inclusion of a science-art keynote and a jury selection process underscores the growing institutional support for pastel art and its recognition as a serious artistic practice. The free public access also promotes broader cultural engagement in Istanbul.