Murals: Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey

From May 2 - 25, 2016 New Orleans-based artist Laurel True was in Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey, for Meridian’s Community Engagement through the Mural Arts exchange sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

True began the exchange in the municipality of Beykoz, on the outskirts of Istanbul. There, her mosaic mural includes a bridge - based on those that span the Bosporus - as a symbol of bridging cultures and unity, and natural elements inspired by the decorative arts of Turkey. The second project, at Gazi University in Ankara, was completed with art students, and poses the question, "Are you looking or are you seeing?".