Syrian sculptor carves out a new life in Turkish quarry
Jamil Cacha, 60, took refuge in Turkey after his workshop and sculpture museum in Syria were both destroyed by the terrorist organization DAESH. Cacha continues to perform his art at a quarry in Burdur's Bucak district.
Cacha, who previously resided in a region close to the Syrian-Turkish border near Turkey's Hatay province, has attended various international fairs throughout his 40-year career. The artist opened the first sculpture museum in Syria and showcased his works at fairs and galleries in the Netherlands, Kuwait, Lebanon, Beirut and Damascus. He had no other choice but to flee his homeland and take shelter in Turkey when everything he once owned was destroyed by DAESH.
Cacha arrived at a refugee camp in Hatay two months ago and came across one of his students from the Damascus Art Faculty. His student told the story of his instructor to the owners of the Turkish company he works for. Süleyman Aksoy, the board member of the company and the manager of the quarry in Burdur, contacted the Syrian artist and invited him to Burdur. The artist now says that Aksoy and his company gave him freedom again. Speaking about Cacha's journey to Burdur to perform his art, Aksoy said, "We will continue to provide Cacha with everything he needs to perform his art. We were surprised to see that Cacha's artworks are produced from the stones that we see every day. If his art is discovered by someone here and they appreciate its aesthetic beauties, this would be the biggest gift for Cacha."
The Syrian artist has been dining and chatting with the worker at the quarry for the last two months, selecting stones that he likes and taking them to his workshop. The artist is very popular among workers at the quarry, giving life to the stones he chooses without detracting from their original state. Cacha shared a personal story of his wife and daughter who came to Burdur after he re-opened his workshop, pointing out that his son stayed behind in Syria to continue his education. "Hundreds of the works that I worked on for 40 years were destroyed. This is a very upsetting. By pursuing my art in here [in Turkey], I have regained my freedom," Cacha said. The artist is planning to display his sculptures in Istanbul. The exhibition will be titled "Kremna," named after the old settlement in his homeland. "The travertine at the workers quarry inspires me. This is a very soft stone, which is easy to shape. When I am working, the stones talk to me about their feelings. Whenever I feel that the stones are ready to be shaped, I start working. Sculpting is my life, my way of perceiving the world," Cacha concluded.
Cacha, who previously resided in a region close to the Syrian-Turkish border near Turkey's Hatay province, has attended various international fairs throughout his 40-year career. The artist opened the first sculpture museum in Syria and showcased his works at fairs and galleries in the Netherlands, Kuwait, Lebanon, Beirut and Damascus. He had no other choice but to flee his homeland and take shelter in Turkey when everything he once owned was destroyed by DAESH.
Cacha arrived at a refugee camp in Hatay two months ago and came across one of his students from the Damascus Art Faculty. His student told the story of his instructor to the owners of the Turkish company he works for. Süleyman Aksoy, the board member of the company and the manager of the quarry in Burdur, contacted the Syrian artist and invited him to Burdur. The artist now says that Aksoy and his company gave him freedom again. Speaking about Cacha's journey to Burdur to perform his art, Aksoy said, "We will continue to provide Cacha with everything he needs to perform his art. We were surprised to see that Cacha's artworks are produced from the stones that we see every day. If his art is discovered by someone here and they appreciate its aesthetic beauties, this would be the biggest gift for Cacha."
The Syrian artist has been dining and chatting with the worker at the quarry for the last two months, selecting stones that he likes and taking them to his workshop. The artist is very popular among workers at the quarry, giving life to the stones he chooses without detracting from their original state. Cacha shared a personal story of his wife and daughter who came to Burdur after he re-opened his workshop, pointing out that his son stayed behind in Syria to continue his education. "Hundreds of the works that I worked on for 40 years were destroyed. This is a very upsetting. By pursuing my art in here [in Turkey], I have regained my freedom," Cacha said. The artist is planning to display his sculptures in Istanbul. The exhibition will be titled "Kremna," named after the old settlement in his homeland. "The travertine at the workers quarry inspires me. This is a very soft stone, which is easy to shape. When I am working, the stones talk to me about their feelings. Whenever I feel that the stones are ready to be shaped, I start working. Sculpting is my life, my way of perceiving the world," Cacha concluded.
Last Update: December 25, 2015 19:34