ALLEGORICAL REPRESENTATIONS OF TURKISH MYTHOLOGY IN CONTEMPORARY TURKISH SCULPTURE

Abstract

In prehistoric times, fear and questioning toward powers perceived as stronger than human beings gradually led to the belief that these forces were reflections of divinity. Such struggles against the unknown formed the basis of myths, which transformed into allegorical symbols carrying the cultural codes of societies. These symbols found expression in the arts, were preserved in collective memory, and transmitted to the present. Like all nations with their own mythological heritage, the Turkish people possess a mythological language that reflects their social structure. The dynamic character of Turkish culture, rooted in a nomadic lifestyle and enriched by the traces of Anatolian civilizations, evolved into aesthetic symbols that have inspired many sculptors in contemporary Turkish art.

This study aims to explore how Turkish mythology has been interpreted in sculpture through allegorical expression and contemporary approaches. The research examines one selected work from each of six artists: İlhan Koman, Ali Teoman Germaner, Mehmet Aksoy, Ender Güzey, Tuğrul Selçuk, and Selma Gürbüz. A qualitative methodology was employed, combining literature review and artwork analysis. Findings reveal that these artists drew upon the rich mythological narratives of the Turkic world, employing allegorical forms and modern perspectives to represent elements such as Gök Tanrı, Umay Ana, Erlik (umacı and kara nemeler), shamanic beliefs, and cosmogonic symbols like the sun and moon. They also incorporated motifs including the bull, serpent, Simurgh, and tree of life. Additionally, the symbolic use of color in Turkish mythology was integrated into their compositions to enhance aesthetic and conceptual meaning.