Elegy for Tekir 2012

Fusun Onur’s ‘Elegy for Tekir’ floats ethereally, an arrangement of fabric canvases bearing images of domestic life, shadowed by feline forms. Cats, those enigmatic creatures, have long captivated us. Here, they evoke a profound connection to the domestic sphere, weaving through our homes. Consider the ancient Egyptians, who revered cats as symbols of grace and protection. Bastet, the feline goddess, embodied these qualities, guarding households and bestowing fertility. This reverence echoes through time, though it shifts; in medieval Europe, cats faced darker associations, linked to witchcraft and misfortune. Yet, the cat's resilience prevails. As seen here, the shadow of the cat, a recurring motif, reminds us of the enduring, cyclical nature of symbols, subtly altered, continually reappearing in the human psyche. Their silent presence, a powerful force engaging viewers on a subconscious level, evokes a sense of mystery, and a touch of melancholy.