Drawing attention with the strong bond she established with art despite being only eight years old, Ayşe Mila Vergili met with art lovers at the 3rd International Yeditepe Biennial with her work “Hope in the Shadow” that she prepared with inspiration from Palestine. The work exhibited at Sirkeci Train Station Warehouses carries traces of a heart that tries to keep hope alive in the shadow of war.

Sometimes art begins at where words fall insufficient; particularly in geographies where war, pain and darkness reign. “Hope in the Shadow” work of Ayşe Mila Vergili, turns into an impressive narrative from the eyes of an eight-year-old child that shows how life and hope can resist against darkness of war.

Born in 2016 in Karabük, Ayşe Mila draws attention with her strong bond she established with art from early ages on. The young artist that gets not just lines but also emotions down on paper in her art works that she started when she was three is a third-grade student today. She also plays She plays the violin, speaks English, does gymnastics and enriches her imagination day after day with her love for books.

Ayşe Mila who had two personal exhibitions at her school and participated in various exhibitions in her town with her works until today, opens an expressive area for herself with art while managing to prioritize conceptual depth in her works despite her young age. For her, art is not just a hobby; but a way to describe pains, beauties, hopes, and dreams of the world.

Her “Hope in the Shadow” work on display at Sirkeci Train Station Warehouses in the scope of the 3rd International Yeditepe Biennial is inspired from the darkness created by the war in Palestine. Shades of gray and black dominate the work which symbolize the heavy burden of war, losses suffered by people and destruction. However, right at the center of this darkness, a pink ballerina figure confronts the viewer.

Happiness of the ballerina that scatters from her delicate skirt as she dances comes to life as a shadow on the gray scene. In words of Ayşe Mila, every move of the ballerina places hope and joy of life on the gray world. Pink color of the ballerina adds a strong conceptual layer to the work as a metaphor of life and love that exists at the center of gloom.

This detail reveals deep outlook of the artist despite her young age. Because describing the unbroken side of human soul, its hope from life and love in a dark world with a tiny little figure is the product of a strong understanding.

In the description panel next to her work, Ayşe Mila wrote a short but striking text. In this text she explains life can dance even in the shadow of was and a small spark can light up even in dark.

This introductory text she wrote herself makes viewers directly feel what the artists intends. This short note that enhances admiration for her age and her expression, eases visitors of the exhibition to form emotional connection with the work. Visitors spend long time viewing the work; some seeking peace in graceful actions of the ballerina while others get buried in a deep silence pondering how can life continue even in a gray background.

Some art lovers express that producing conceptual art in this age is possible not just with talent, but also with developing sensitivity for the world. Curators of the biennale and art critics assess Ayşe Mila’s work as an important premise despite her young age.

With “Hope in the Shadow” Ayşe Mila Vergili draws attention to darkness of war in addition to healing power of art. Her every brushstroke, every figure successes to look at the work with a childish innocence while also carrying a deep wisdom in this innocence.

This work is not just a stop in the artistic journey of Ayşe Mila but also a small evidence of how art can resist against the dark faces of the world we live in.

With “Hope in the Shadow”, Ayşe Mila opens a bright window to her inner world and in the hearts of viewers. There is no doubt that this young artist who is still in the beginning of her journey will continue to carry more hope to art, humanity and the world.

Exhibited at Sirkeci Train Station Warehouses in the scope of the 3rd International Yeditepe Biennial, expects viewers that want to see a small but decisive light rising in shadows.

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