Garanti BBVA unveils monument by top Turkish sculptor to commemorate the second century of the Republic of Türkiye
Garanti BBVA welcomed the second century of the Turkish Republic with a sculpture by Metin Yurdanur, a renowned Turkish artist. Located at the bank’s headquarters in Zincirlikuyu, Istanbul, the ‘Republic Monument’ represents the ideals introduced by Atatürk enduring throughout the second century. Atatürk's light is carried into the future by the Turkish youth, with waves symbolizing the dynamic and enthusiastic values of the Republic. Standing at 6 meters tall with a 1.5-meter concrete base, the piece is crafted in cast bronze and stainless steel, and was designed exclusively for BBVA’s Turkish franchise.
Last year, the bank celebrated the country’s cultural heritage with the exhibition ‘One Hundred Years Ago, One Hundred Years Later’, and the publication of ‘Mustafa Kemal Pasha's Road to the Republic with Photographs’. Garanti BBVA was also instrumental in facilitating the creation of various artifacts, including the sculptures ‘Clay and Code: From Soil to the Future’ by Hakan Sorar, and ‘A Hundred Years of Walking’ by Evren Erol, both of which are displayed at the bank’s buildings. This year, the bank continued this commitment with Metin Yurdanur’s ‘Republic Monument’.
Garanti BBVA General Manager Mahmut Akten emphasized that the bank’s primary goal is to ensure that the achievements and fundamental values of the Republic reach future generations, preserving and reinforcing the ideals of Atatürk. For the bank, this respect comes in the form of artwork. Shaped by contributions from colleagues, the General Manager explained that ‘Republic Monument’ symbolizes the enlightenment and the progressive spirit of the Republic being carried into the future through the determination of Turkish youth.
“We would like to thank Metin Yurdanur for this meaningful artwork, and are proud to celebrate the 101st anniversary of our Republic with such a significant sculpture. As we enter the second century, we will continue to work with determination to carry the values of the Republic forward,” Mahmut Akten said.
A prolific artist
Metin Yurdanur was born in Sivrihisar in 1951 and spent his childhood surrounded by the ruins of ancient Phrygian, Roman and Seljuk civilizations. Some of his most significant sculptures include ‘Hands’ at Abdi İpekçi Park, ‘Heritage’ at Station Square and ‘Solidarity’ in Batıkent. Every year, Yurdanur’s exhibition ‘I am Anatolia, I am the Republic, I am the People’ is displayed at a different university, sharing culture and art with the students, academics and local communities. Metin Yurdanur has over 100 sculptures around the world, such as Germany, Japan, Hungary, Libya, Turkmenistan, Mongolia and Cuba, and he continues to work on his sculptures at his workshop in Ankara.