Guided tour and conversation with Kurdish artist Murat Genç on his journey as a painter and his message for peace

The Migration Initiative at IHEID in collaboration with La Fabrique de la paix have the pleasure to invite you to a conversation with Kurdish artist Murat Genç’s wherein he would answer questions about his life in Turkey and his journey and experiences of painting canvases featuring the agonizing nature of war and faces of the refugee crisis, especially in the Middle East. After the conversation, the artist will conduct a guided tour of his paintings hung all across the Fab as a part of our art exhibit featuring his works[1] .

Disclaimer

Although the artist feels most comfortable communicating in Turkish, our English-speaking interpreter and moderator will conduct the event in English.

Instructions

• Most questions asked to Murat will be collected before the event through this form and our social media channels 
• There will be an opportunity to ask him questions during the event (a QR code will be provided in the event to input your questions)
• There will also be an opportunity to have a tête-à-tête with the artist at the reception (interpreters will be present to assist)

About Murat Genç

He was born in Amed (Diyarbakir) in 1973 and is of Kurdish descent. His interest in painting began during his middle and high school years, a passion that led him to win first prize in a regional painting competition. While studying at Dicle University, Faculty of Education, in the Department of Mathematics, he was arrested for political reasons. During his 30-year imprisonment, he was only allowed to paint for two years. The paintings he created during this brief period in prison were later exhibited in Amed and Istanbul. After his release, he arrived in Switzerland in September 2023. Through his art, he aims to emphasise the brutality of war in the Middle East, addressing the destruction caused by conflict, the hardships of migration, the refugee journey, and the tragedies faced by families. His work also seeks to reveal hidden forms of violence.

Trigger Warning

The paintings presented in our exhibit document scenes that may be emotionally difficult to view. If any paintings raise questions or disturb you, do not hesitate to contact the Migration Initiative (gisa.migrationinitiative@graduateinstitute.ch) for assistance. We thank you for your understanding and for your respect for each individual’s experiences and emotions.