Turkish Journal – Turkish artist calls for peace with exhibition at the United Nations, New York. With a collection of teddy bears crafted from discarded materials, Turkish artist Pia Bozyel is transforming waste into a powerful message of peace.
Her latest installation, unveiled this week at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, confronts the devastating effects of war on children while celebrating the healing power of peace.
Supported by Türkiye’s Permanent Mission to the UN and the Zero Waste Foundation, the exhibition brings together environmental consciousness and social commentary in a deeply emotional visual language.
Curated by Italian artists Elisa Bertaglia and Gabriele Grones, the installation features teddy bears made from recycled materials—one half draped in black, the other wrapped in fabric adorned with traditional Turkish motifs. These dual-faced figures stand as metaphors for destruction and hope, loss and healing.
“These bears are more than objects; they’re witnesses,” Bozyel said in an interview. “I wanted to highlight not only the destruction caused by war but also the healing power of peace.”
Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız, praised the artist during the exhibition’s opening, emphasizing that the zero waste movement has become a national symbol for Türkiye. He commended Bozyel for turning discarded materials into meaningful works of art that echo global concerns.
At the heart of the exhibition is a deep concern for the next generation. “War is not just a struggle between nations or ideologies—it’s a battle between generations,” Bozyel explained. “Every step we take, every decision we make, and every act of indifference today shapes the destiny of the children who will inherit our world.”
The exhibition will remain open to visitors at the UN Headquarters through June 27, inviting reflection on the intersection of art, sustainability, and peace.
