Students from the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema at Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), participated in the “Inspired by Art: Let's Embrace and Heal” (Sanattan İlhamla: Sarılarak Saralım) program held at Istanbul Modern Art Museum as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The students attended a seminar by Assoc. Prof. Ebru Nalan Sülün focusing on pioneering women in art history and contributed to a participatory installation designed by contemporary artist Sabire Susuz by sharing their breast cancer awareness messages.
Organized in collaboration between Istanbul Modern and Estée Lauder Companies Türkiye, the program highlighted the role of art in fostering social solidarity and raising awareness. Through seminars, workshops, and participatory art activities, students had the opportunity to explore the creative practices of women artists and take part in a collective artistic project.
Pioneering women in art history explored
During the seminar titled “Inspiring Lives and Artistic Transformation: Pioneering Women in Art History”, held at the Istanbul Modern Auditorium, Assoc. Prof. Ebru Nalan Sülün discussed the lives of influential women artists, the social barriers they encountered, and the distinctive forms of artistic expression they developed. Through the works of artists such as Frida Kahlo, Louise Bourgeois, and Yayoi Kusama, the seminar explored the visibility of women in art history, the relationship between artistic production and personal experiences, and the transformative power of creative processes. Throughout the seminar, students examined the connections between the artists’ life stories and their works, gaining insight into different ways in which art makes individual and collective experiences visible.
Students contributed their messages to a participatory art installation
Following the seminar, students took part in an installation designed by contemporary artist Sabire Susuz, which evolved through the contributions of visitors. Located in Istanbul Modern’s Kemankeş Open Area, the installation encouraged collective artistic production through an arrangement of pink ribbons, the international symbol of breast cancer awareness. Developed through visitors’ notes, drawings, and messages, the artwork brought individual expressions together within a shared space of solidarity. Students from the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema prepared messages related to breast cancer awareness and placed them among the pink ribbons. In doing so, they moved beyond observing the artwork and became active participants in its creation.
The role of art in raising social awareness experienced
The visit to Istanbul Modern enabled students to connect their knowledge of art history with contemporary artistic practices. While exploring the creative processes of women artists, students also experienced how visual expression can contribute to social awareness, solidarity, and collective memory through their participation in the installation. The event demonstrated that art is not only a form of aesthetic expression but also an effective means of communication for bringing social issues into public view.
We value our students’ participation in cultural and artistic activities and support experiences that combine their professional development with social awareness.