Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London is pleased to announce Traces of Memory, a solo exhibition by Lütfü Kaplanoğlu, curated by Yaman Pakdil. The exhibition opened on 19 January 2026 at the Yunus Emre Institute Gallery in London and will remain on view until 6 February 2026.
Traces of Memory brings together a series of contemporary paintings that explore the relationship between memory, time, and inner experience. Through a restrained visual language, Kaplanoğlu invites viewers into a reflective space where meaning emerges gradually, guided by sensation rather than narrative.
The paintings feature solitary figures shown from behind. These figures do not represent specific identities; instead, they function as open points of entry, allowing viewers to project their own memories and emotions onto the works. As a result, the viewer becomes an active yet silent participant. The boundary between subject and observer softens, and the act of viewing turns inward, transforming memory into a shared experience between artwork and audience.
Curated around the idea of memory as a flexible and evolving material, the exhibition also includes a participatory installation titled The Memory Wall. Visitors are invited to respond to the artworks with a single word, extending the exhibition beyond the painted surface and creating a collective record of emotional responses.
The opening reception, held on Monday, 19 January 2026, brought together members of London’s arts and cultural community. The evening featured opening remarks by Hasan Ulusoy, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in London; Mehmet Karakuş, Director of Yunus Emre Institute in London; and curator Yaman Pakdil. The event welcomed artists, curators, and cultural figures, alongside representatives from international arts and diaspora communities.
All artworks in Traces of Memory are available for sale, and visitors are welcome to attend the exhibition during gallery hours. Selected dates will also offer opportunities to meet the artist and curator at the gallery.
Traces of Memory invites audiences to consider how memory is formed, carried, and quietly sustained—and how some of the most lasting impressions are those that resist direct representation.
TRACES OF MEMORY Artist: Prof. Dr Lütfü Kaplanoğlu Curator: Yaman Pakdil (GOYA Art) Venue: Yunus Emre Institute Gallery, 10 Maple Street W1T 5HA Dates: 19 January – 6 February 2026 Admission: Free entry Visiting Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00–18:00
