An online photography exhibition titled “Monuments,” featuring analogue photographs from the 1990s by Turkish Cypriot photographer Veysi Soyer, has been launched.
The collection, now digitised by the Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR), offers a glimpse into the aftermath of 1974, focusing on the damage inflicted on the island’s cultural and historical heritage.
The exhibition showcases a series of images from Soyer’s archive, which he donated to CVAR in recent years. The collection, now housed in the Republic of Cyprus-controlled area, captures the devastation of monuments following the Turkish Army’s advance in 1974. Soyer’s work, deeply affected by the destruction he witnessed, began with his return to Cyprus and the sight of the damaged chapel in Trachoni Village, a photograph included in this collection.
The exhibition is available for viewing online, providing an opportunity for art lovers and historians alike to reflect on the enduring impact of conflict on cultural heritage.
Biography
Born in Nicosia in 1952, Veysi Soyer is a renowned Turkish Cypriot photographer and pharmacist. He was the first Turkish Cypriot to be awarded the AFIAP title and has received numerous accolades for his work. Soyer has exhibited widely, worked as a photo editor for various magazines, and served as a jury member in photographic competitions.
