ÇAĞDAŞ SERAMİK SANATINDA BİR METAFOR OLARAK İNSAN KALBİ
THE HUMAN HEART AS A METAPHOR IN CONTEMPORARY CERAMIC ART

Summary/Abstract: Throughout history, the human heart has been regarded not merely as a biological organ, but as a powerful symbol representing emotional states, inner meanings, and spiritual dimensions across various civilizations. From Mesopotamia to China, from Egypt to Europe, the heart has been perceived as the center of wisdom, emotion, and the soul. Simultaneously, it has held a prominent place in art and literature as a metaphor for sanctity, courage, love, and the inner world of the individual. In the realm of art, representations of the heart have evolved— particularly in the 21st century—into metaphorical expressions within contemporary art and ceramic practices, reflecting both individual and collective narratives. The use of the human heart in contemporary art continues to acquire new layers of meaning, both imaginative and formal, shaped by the evolving value systems of individuals and societies. This study explores the historical and cultural transformation of the heart and traces a metaphorical narrative in contemporary ceramic art that regards the heart not only as an anatomical entity but also as a vessel of personal and collective memory. The image of the heart is examined through artworks in contemporary art and ceramics that, via diverse techniques, materials, and critical approaches, engage with themes such as war, ecological crises, human psychology, and issues of identity. In this context, a qualitative research method was adopted, with document analysis employed as the primary data collection technique. Given the limited number of studies addressing this subject in the literature, this research is anticipated to contribute meaningfully to the existing body of knowledge.

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