Atatürk and Kuva-yi Milliye Monument, Manisa

The monument is located within the borders of Manisa province. It is approximately 200-300 meters away from the entrance of Manisa Organized Industrial Zone, on the İzmir-Istanbul road. On the way from Izmir, 200-300 meters before we see the Manisa sign, we first encounter this monument.

Atatürk and Kuva-yi Milliye Monument, the construction of which was started during the period of the former Governor of Manisa, Muzaffer Ecemiş; The sculptures of Manisa Ephesus and a contemporary Turkish woman holding an olive branch, made by sculptor Tankut Öktem, were brought to the monument at the exit of Manisa city with the help of cranes after they were assembled in the garden of the Gediz Planning Directorate.

Manisa-İzmir highway was closed to traffic for a while in order to place the statues on the pedestal on the monument. The statues were placed on the pedestals of the 65-meter-high monument, again with the help of cranes. The Manisa Ephesus, which weighs approximately 7.5 tons and is 21 meters high, and the contemporary Turkish Woman sculptures attract attention.

prof. Dr. Tankut Öktem* signed the 3rd largest monument in the world with the 60-meter-high Manisa Kuva-yi Milliye Monument.

prof. Dr. The monument, which Tankut Öktem made for 6 years in his workshop in Kumla Town of Bursa's Gemlik District, was inaugurated within the framework of the 2004 April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day events.

Atatürk mask of the monument

Atatürk and Kuva-yi Milliye Monument under construction

Ataturk and Kuva-yi Milliye Monument

Atatürk and Kuva-yi Milliye Monument

Construction Adventure of Atatürk and Kuva-yi Milliye Monument

*Prof. Dr. Tankut Oktem

He was born in 1940 in Konya. He was selected as an assistant in 1966 to the Ceramics Department of the Istanbul State Academy of Applied Fine Arts (IDTGSYO), which he graduated from in 1965. Öktem became a faculty member at the same school in 1970.

He was the Head of the Ceramics Department between 1974-1975 and the Director of İDTGSYO between 1980-1982. Öktem founded the Department of Sculpture between 1983-1985 after Applied Fine Arts was established at Marmara University and became its first president.

Tankut Öktem, who has been teaching as a professor since 1986, was the Head of the Ceramics-Glass Department of Marmara University between 1993-1996, the Faculty Senator until 1999 and the Marmara University Representative of the Higher Education National Committee for Art. Having many works and awards, Prof. Öktem was selected as a "State Artist" in 1999.

Tankut Öktem, the owner of works accepted as Turkish Art Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, won many national and international competitions. With the 60-meter-high Manisa Kuva-i Milliye Monument, it signed the third largest monument in the world.

The artist, who has more than 20 works abroad and hundreds of works in Turkey, passed away suddenly on December 5, 2007.

prof. Tankut Öktem Biography

He was born in 1941 in Istanbul.

1962 He completed his internship at Shone Wald Porcelain Factory in Germany.

1965 Graduated from İ.DTGSYO Ceramics Department.

1966 He was selected as an assistant to the Ceramics Department of İ.DTGSYO.

He became a faculty member in 1970.

1974-1975 He served as the Head of the Ceramics Department.

1980-1982 I.DTGSYO Manager.

1983-1985 After the establishment of Marmara University of Applied Fine Arts, he founded the Sculpture Department and became its first President.

He became Professor in 1986.

Between 1993-1996, he was the Head of the Ceramics - Glass Department. He also served as faculty senator and Y.Ö.K. He was the Marmara University Representative of the National Art Committee.

He was elected State Artist in 1999.

The artist, who has many works, includes only the competitions he has won, the most important applications, and then the list of his main works in chronological order.

COMPETITIONS AND APPLICATIONS WON ABROAD

1972 A.B.D: Washington - Kennedy, Martin Luther King ve R. Kennedy

1988 South Korea - Love Monument in front of Seoul Cultural Center (selected for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, top 10 among 162 country artists)

He represented Turkey in the Sculpture category at the 1989 Asian Art Biennial.

1990 Germany - Stuttgart, Boblingen Town Hall Square, Sculpture Symposium 1st prize (applied on site)

1996 Hungary - Budapest Ataturk Bust

In 1997, a 35-meter victory monument was built in the name of Libyan People's Hero, Gazi Mukhtar.

WORKS IMPLEMENTED IN TRNC

1974 KKTC Gazi Magosa Freedom Monument

1980 TRNC Gazi Mehmetçik Statue

1980 KKTC Girne Atatürk Statue

1981 TRNC Gazi Magosa Yesilyurt Statue

1982 KKTC Gazi Magosa Akdogan Ataturk Statue

1983 KKTC Nicosia Fazil Small Statue

1984 TRNC İnönü Atatürk Statue

DOMESTIC SUCCESS AND APPLICATIONS

1967 Tarabya Hotel Statue (1st Prize)

1967 10th International Sculpture Exhibition (1st Prize)

1967 Istanbul Atatürk Cultural Center (1st Honorable Mention)

1968 Yapı Kredi Bank Statue (2nd Prize)

1970 Middle East University Statue (2nd Prize)

1973 Edirne Kırkpınar Monument (1st Prize)

1974 Amasya Circular Monument (1st Prize)

1974 Mersin Kuvayi National Monument (1st Prize)

1979 Archeology Museum Ceramics Branch (1st Prize)

1981 Turkish Military Academy (Practice Award)

1982 İzmir Turkish Marines Memorial Competition (Practical Award)

1983 Erdek Atatürk Monument (2nd Prize)

The artist has not participated in any competition since 1983 and served as a jury member in the competitions.

IMPORTANT WORKS IMPLEMENTED DOMESTIC

1964 Love Monument Ceramic Work

1964 Japanese Ballet Girl - Tattoo Copper

1964 J. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, R. Kennedy Bust

1964 Tarabya Hotel King Suite - Wrought Copper Work

1964 Freedom faces Plaster Work

1970 Vakko Factory Abstract Mother Statue - Istanbul

1970 Horon Tepen - Wrought Copper Work

1972 Animal Sculptures Kocaeli Industry Fair Park

1973 Kirkpinar Monument Edirne

1975 Statue of Liberty - Eskisehir

1975 Olympic Champion İsmet Equestrian Bust

1976 Gazi Famagusta Freedom Monument - Cyprus

1977 Republic Monument Orhangazi - Bursa

1979 Gazi Famagusta Atatürk Monument - Cyprus

1980 Atatürk and the Volatile Youth Monument Air Force Academy - Istanbul

1981 Amasya Circular Monument - Amasya

1981 Fatih Sultan Mehmet Monument - Istanbul

1981 Atatürk Statue Tuzla Infantry School

1981 Head Teacher Statue - Ministry of National Education - Ankara

1982 Unknown Teacher Statue - Ministry of National Education - Ankara

1982 Turkish Marines Statue - İzmir

1982 Ayhan Işık Bust

1982 Girne Atatürk Statue - Cyprus

1983 Turkish Language Institution Atatürk Monument

1983 Sarayburnu Atatürk Monument MSB Logistics Support Command - İstanbul

1984 Mehmetçik Statue - Land Forces Command - Ankara

1985 Lion Statue with Cub - Adana Sabancı Mansion

1985 Atatürk and National Sovereignty Monument - Manisa

1985 Karaman Bey and Sons Ferma

1986 Atatürk Statue - Palace

1986 Miner's Monument - Zonguldak

1986 Martyrs' Monument - Orhangazi

1986 Turgut Reis Statue - Bandırma

1987 Private İhsan Çizakça High School Statue

1987 Sefik Bursalı Bust

1987 Nurettin Ersin Bust

1987 Fazıl Hüsnü Dağlarca Bust

1988 Atatürk and the Cadet Monument - Military Academy - Ankara

1988 Independence and Ataturk Monument - Aydın

1988 Statue of Love - Seoul Olympic Building Seoul South Korea

1989 Atatürk Statue on a Horse - Orhangazi

1989 Asian Art Biennial Turkey Representative

1989 Childless Woman Statue - Boblingen Stuttgart Germany

1989 Dr. Fazil Small Statue - Nicosia TRNC

1990 Mounted Alparslan Statue - Manzikert Mus

1990 Osmangazi Monument - Bursa

1990 Atatürk and Martyr Şerife Bacı Monument - Kastamonu

1990 Equestrian Atatürk Statue - Cyprus

1990 Karagöz Statue - Bursa

1991 Cağaloğlu Anatolian High School Atatürk Statue - İstanbul

1991 Atatürk and İnönü Statue - İzmir International Fair - İzmir

1991 Ataturk Monument - Belkahve Izmir

1991 Ataturk Monument - Bayburt

1992 Dumlupınar Cemetery - Kütahya

1992 Merzifonlu land Mustafa Pasa Statue - Merzifon

1992 Turkish Language History Statue - Karaman

1992 Atatürk Statue - GATA

1993 Dead Poets Monument - Nevşehir

1993 Great Assault Martyrdom Atatürk Kocatepe Monument - Afyon

1993 Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey Statue - Karaman

1993 Monument Çanakkale Impassable Monument - Çanakkale

1994 First Bullet Monument - 1995 - Antakya

1994 Conkbayırı Atatürk Monument - Çanakkale

1994 Yunus Emre Statue - Karaman

1994 57th Regiment Mehmetçik Monument - Çanakkale

1995 Piri Reis Statue - Karaman

1995 Sabiha Gökçen and Atatürk Monument - Air Force Command - Ankara

1995 Eagle Statue - Air Force Command - Ankara

1995 Peasant Girl with a Grape Basket - Manisa

1995 Sehit Female Teacher Statue - Erzurum

1996 Hungary Ataturk Monument

1997 Military Academy Cadet Officer Martyrdom Monument - Ankara

1997 Monument to Respect Mehmetçi - Bloody Ridge - Çanakkale

1997 Statue of Liberty - Mersin

1997 Wood Carrying Yunus Emre Statue - Eskişehir

1997 Libyan People's Hero Gazi Mukhtar Monument - Libya

1997 Antalya International Airport Ceramic Board - Antalya

1998 Zeki Muren Statue - Bursa

1998 The Homeland Thank You Mehmetçik Statue - Chief of General Staff Ankara

1998 Nasreddin Hodja Statue - Akşehir

1998 Gökova Mermaid Statue - Gökova

1998 Fisherman Statue - Marmaris

1998 Independence and Atatürk Monument - İnegöl

1998 Peasant Girl with Apple Basket - Karaman

1998 Dadaloğlu Statue - Kayseri

1999 Uğur Mumcu Bust - Harbiye Istanbul

1999 Sargıyeri Martyr's Cemetery, Mehmetçik Monument Embracing His Injured Friend - Çanakkale

1999 Mounted Lightning Beyazit Statue - Bursa

1999 Unknown Soldier Monument - Zığındere Çanakkale

1999 1st Army Command Statue - Istanbul

1999 Uludag University Atatürk and Youth Monument - Bursa

1999 Uludag University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Statue - Bursa

1999 Mehmet Akif Ersoy Statue - Ankara

2000 Abidin Dino Statue - Ankara

2000 Adnan Saygun Statue - Ulus - Istanbul

2000 Uludag University Faculty of Agriculture Statue - Bursa

2000 Ataturk and Celal Bayar Statue - Umurbey

2000 Fig Statue - Aydın

2000 Fazil Hüsnü Dağlarca Statue - Kalamış Park - Istanbul

2000 Akbaş Martyrdom Wounded Soldier Statue - Çanakkale

2000 Ataturk Monument - Kirsehir

2000 Kazım Karabekir Bust - 3rd Army Command - Erzincan

2000 Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Statue - Ankara

2000 7 Figured Sculpture - Samsun

2000 Atatürk and Child Statue - Güzelyalı

2000 Atatürk and Pilot Statue - Konya

2000 Ataturk Statue - Kuleli Military High School

2000 1st Army Command 3 Mehmetcik Monument - Selimiye

2001 Atatürk and Independence Monument - Uşak

2001 Nazim Hikmet Statue - İzmir International Park

2001 Atatürk Statue - Madra Mountain - Ayvalık

2001 Namık Kemal Statue - Tekirdag

2002 Jewish High School Leaves Composition - Ulus Istanbul

2002 Tarık Buğra Statue - Akşehir

2002 Mehmetçik Statue 5th Brigade Command - Sivas

2002 Atatürk statue - Ayvalık

2002 Haci Bektashi Veli Statue - Eskisehir

2002 7 Figured Sculpture - Bandırma Ship Museum and National Struggle Open Air Museum - Samsun

2002 Land Forces Commander Busts 53 pieces - Turkish Military Academy - Ankara

2002 Marshal Atatürk Statue Gendarmerie Regional Command - Kayseri

2002 Anıtkabir Museum Reliefs and Atatürk Bust - Ankara

2003 Muharrem - Neşet Ertaş Statue - Kırşehir

2004 Kazim Karabekir Statue - Karaman

2004 Sarıkız and Atatürk Statue - Altınoluk

2004 Kuvayi National and Republic Monument - Manisa

2004 Skier Statue - Sarıkamış

2005 Panorama of Kurtuluş - Çorlu

2005 Tarik Bugra Statue

2005 Cyprus Martyrdom - Nicosia TRNC

2005 Istanbul University Atatürk Statue

2005 Girne Limassol Monument - TRNC

2005 Commander Busts Air Forces Command - Ankara

2005 Harran University Atatürk Statue

2006 Safranbolu Monument - Safranbolu

2006 Arnavutkoy Ataturk Statue - Arnavutköy Istanbul

2006 Anafartalar Atatürk Statue - Çanakkale

2006 Martyr Police Statue - Samsun Police Department - Samsun

2007 Bakirkoy Courthouse Justice Statue - Istanbul

2007 Kırıkkağnı Statue - Great Assault Martyrdom - Afyon

2007 Marmara University Rectorate Relief and Statue

Some of the Awards

    * 1973 First Prize with Kırkpınar Monument Edirne,

    * 1974 Gazi Famagusta Freedom Monument and First Prize,

    * 1983 Second Prize with Erdek Atatürk Monument,

    * 1988 Seoul Cultural Center Monument of Love South Korea achievement award,

    * 3rd International 1990 Boblingen

    * Municipal Square Sculpture Competition First Prize,

Talking about the foundation of the Republic of Turkey and the years of the National Struggle in his monuments, Prof. Among Öktem's works;

    * Ataturk and Cadet Monument,

    * Wounded Soldier Monument in Çanakkale Martyrdom,

    * Amasya Circular Monument, is located.

Source:  Prof. Tankut Oktem Website

Images of Atatürk and Kuva-yi Milliye Monument