heykeller

Heykeller is the Turkish plural noun for statues or sculptures. The singular form is heykel, and the plural is heykeller. The term refers to three-dimensional representations of people, animals, or abstract forms used in art, monuments, and public spaces. In Turkish usage, heykeller can denote both historic monuments and contemporary artworks, regardless of material—stone, metal, wood, or mixed media.

Etymology and grammar: Heykel derives from older languages in the region, and in Turkish the plural is formed with the suffix -ler, following vowel harmony to produce heykeller. The word is widely used in art criticism, archaeology reports, museum labels, and everyday speech to discuss sculptural works.

Context and significance: In Turkish culture and art history, heykeller appear in archaeological sites, museums, urban squares, mosques and churches, and in private collections. Public sculpture is a recognized genre, with monuments commemorating historical figures or events, as well as contemporary installations that explore form, materiality, and concept. The term serves as a general descriptor that encompasses a range of sculptural practices from ancient to modern periods, including representational and abstract works.

See also: Turkish sculpture, sculpture, statue.