Suffolk-based artist Ned Pamphilon to display Atatürk’s Eyes at St Mary’s Church in Redgrave

A striking painting that has travelled the globe is returning to Suffolk and will be displayed in a village church.

The painting, by Suffolk-based artist Ned Pamphilon, depicting the eyes of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, will be on display in St Mary’s Church in Redgrave tomorrow and on Sunday, between 10am and 4pm.

Atatürk, the founder of the modern Turkish Republic in 1923 and its first president, introduced sweeping progressive reforms, including granting women the right to vote.

Pamphilon’s artwork, known as The Eyes, has been previously exhibited at significant locations, including Anitkabir, Atatürk’s mausoleum in Ankara, to commemorate National Sovereignty and Children’s Day and the 100th anniversary of ANZAC and Victory Day.

The painting has also travelled around the globe, having been displayed aboard the Turkish Navy vessel TCG Gediz, visiting cities such as Port Said, Mumbai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo as part of a voyage honouring the friendship between Türkiye and Japan, following the 1890 loss of the Ottoman frigate Ertugrul.

Of the seven original Eyes paintings, five are in private collections, while the sixth is housed in Istanbul.

The seventh was painted by Pamphilon in East Anglia during the summer of 2022.

The process was captured on film and publicly released on January 1, 2023, in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye.

On January 23, the Turkish Chief of Staff sent a letter of appreciation for Pamphilon’s work.

However, just days later, on February 6, a devastating earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria, halting centenary celebrations, and the painting has been wrapped and stored since.

Thanks to a chance meeting, The Eyes will be revealed once again and displayed in St Mary’s Church, which is owned by the Churches Conservation Trust.