My journey of understanding the dedication, of an artist, started in 1998 when my youngest daughter Zehra was born. Although there have been interruptions during this period, throughout my twenty-four years of strive and struggle, continue to this day. My work accumulated in my personal study and only shared with close friends and family. It was only a few years ago, when I was encouraged by the people surrounding me to share my works, so as to gain new perspectives, and receive opinions and criticism.
Hesitant at first, in 2018 I had my first exhibition at the "Fisun Sayek Foundation" in Arsuz, Hatay. Even though the attendance was small, the visitors who attended the exhibition were those who demonstrated different cultures and disciplines. I understood this from the messages written in the visitor's book and this gave me courage. After the pandemic in 2022, I held another exhibition at the same place.
Undoubtedly, these past and future exhibitions will not bring me to the level of an artist, who has devoted their entire lives to their art and aside from that, I am an architect and enjoy being an architect. For me, if someone wants to hang up my paintings (that I like to call Mind Maps) on their walls, this brings me so much joy. But that’s it!
Throughout my painting journey, that began almost a quarter of a century ago, it was inevitable that my architectural practices would be integrated into my works. For years in my practice, the planning stages of a project start with sketches on paper. I have used this powerful technique of creating sketches and markings as it enhances a strong bond between the eyes and the brain. While rapidly developing thoughts, I quickly transform these ‘Mind Maps’ immediately to the canvas. After that point, I only think while on the canvas. I may have brushes in my hands, but the ’T’ ruler and other measurement apparatus play the main role.
As Selahattin EyüboÄŸlu once said: To paint, its sole purpose is not to make good work, but it is more suitable, to get to know people, to love, not to love, to enjoy the blessings of the world, to see the injustice around us, to see the good, to see the bad and this is what I do when I make my ‘Mind Maps’.
