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Akdeniz Exhibition: Nikolina Šimunović and Mert Üngör at Lonca Studio

“Akdeniz”, the Turkish name for the Mediterranean, is a joint exhibition by Croatian academic artist Nikolina Šimunović and Turkish glass artist Mert Üngör, co-founder of Lonca Studio. The Akdeniz exhibition brings painting and glass together around light and water. It is on view at our studio in Belek from 8 to 21 November 2026, in the framework of COP 31, and travels to Istanbul in December.

Akdeniz exhibition at Lonca Studio in Belek: glass works by Mert Üngör and paintings by Nikolina Šimunović
“Akdeniz” at Lonca Studio: Mert Üngör’s glass works on the central burgundy table, with Nikolina Šimunović’s paintings on the walls.

Prepared as part of the Mediterranean Connections: Türkiye – Croatia project of the Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in Istanbul, the exhibition approaches the sea not as a border between two countries but as one that has connected their shores for centuries.

Opening of the Akdeniz exhibition on 7 November

The private opening was attended by H.E. Hrvoje Cvitanović, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Türkiye; Dr. Ivana Zerec, Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Istanbul and the initiator of the exhibition; Ambassador Deha Erpek, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye in Antalya; the artists; and Ayşe Van, co-founder of Alpek Sanat, together with consuls and honorary consuls based in Antalya, members of the Board of Directors of the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and friends of Croatia.

Guests at the opening of the Akdeniz exhibition at Lonca Studio in front of glass works and paintings
Nikolina Šimunović and Consul General Dr. Ivana Zerec with guests at the opening, in front of Mert Üngör’s glass works and Šimunović’s paintings.

“Organising the exhibition during the COP 31 Climate Summit in Antalya carries a special meaning, as it addresses important issues such as the protection of the seas and the Mediterranean in a cultural context,” said Dr. Zerec.

Mert Üngör, Nikolina Šimunović and Dr. Ivana Zerec at the Akdeniz exhibition opening
From left: Mert Üngör, Nikolina Šimunović and Dr. Ivana Zerec, Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Istanbul.

Ambassador Cvitanović emphasised that the Mediterranean has connected rather than divided Croatia and Türkiye, and that art creates a shared language between the two countries. Nikolina Šimunović said she feels at home in Antalya, which reminds her of her hometown, Dubrovnik.

Mert Üngör speaking at the Akdeniz exhibition opening in front of Nikolina Šimunović's paintings
Mert Üngör speaking at the opening.

Mert Üngör spoke about the works he made for the exhibition, inspired by the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean. The day continued with a glassblowing demonstration at our furnace.

Glassblowing demonstration at Lonca Studio on the opening day of the Akdeniz exhibition
A glassblowing demonstration at Lonca Studio on the opening day.

Light carried in paint and in glass

Šimunović’s Sea Fireflies series starts from traces of light that are disappearing, exploring the transience of nature and the marks time leaves on memory. She combines painting with collage and other materials; in these works, light carries memories and a bond with nature.

Paintings by Nikolina Šimunović from the Sea Fireflies series in the Akdeniz exhibition

Üngör presents glass works made especially for the exhibition, from his Flow series. The tall, vertical forms do not follow a drawing made in advance; each is shaped in the moment of making by heat, gravity and the movement of the hand. Light passing through them is refracted and reflected, casting coloured shadows on the walls.

Tall hand-blown glass works by Mert Üngör for the Akdeniz exhibition

Visit the Akdeniz exhibition in Belek and Istanbul

Mert Üngör's glass works on burgundy plinths with Nikolina Šimunović's paintings behind, Akdeniz exhibition
Glass works made by Mert Üngör for the exhibition, with Nikolina Šimunović’s paintings behind. Photo: Lonca Studio archive.

“Akdeniz” is on view at Lonca Studio, Kadriye, Forsa Mall AVM No:9 D:8, Belek, until 21 November 2026, and at the 6. Daire Art Gallery in the Beyoğlu Municipality building in Istanbul from 9 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Organised by the Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in Istanbul, in partnership with Alpek Sanat and Rixos Hotels.

While in Antalya, you can also see our Cultural Heritage collection in Memory Carried in Glass at TAV Antalya Airport until 21 November. Browse our shop, or get in touch for directions and group visits.

In the press

The exhibition was covered by Daily Sabah in “Artists explore Mediterranean heritage as COP31 begins in Antalya” (9 November 2026) and by Magazin Time in “Akdeniz’de sanat ve diplomasi buluşması” (7 November 2026).

About Lonca Studio

Lonca Studio is a glassblowing studio in Belek, Antalya, co-founded by glass artist Mert Üngör and architect Emre Üngör. Every piece is shaped by hand at our own furnace, without moulds, so no two objects are exactly alike. Alongside sculptural series such as Stratum, Flow and the Cultural Heritage collection, we make glass for everyday use, from jugs and drinking glasses to vases and bottles, as well as lighting and interior pieces made to order.

Our name comes from lonca, the Turkish word for a guild, and it describes how we work: knowledge passed from hand to hand in a shared workshop. The studio is open to visitors on working days, so you can watch glass being blown at the furnace and see the pieces up close. Explore the collections in our shop, or write to us about a commission.

Photos: Semih Balseven, except where noted.