Biography
Born in Tarsus in 1948, he graduated from the Painting Department of Istanbul Education Institute in 1971. He worked as a teacher in various secondary schools. In 1989, he left teaching to pursue a career as an artist. He wrote theoretical articles in the field of visual arts. His writings were published in the art magazines Sanat Çevresi, Türkiye’de Sanat, Genç Sanat, Çekirdek Sanat, CEY Sanat, rh+ Sanart, and Artist, as well as in the Bosphorus SANAT newspaper. Between 2007 and 2008, he published the magazine Sanatçının Atölyesi (The Artist's Studio). He has published 5 poetry books (Sessiz Bir Aşkı Dillendirmek (1985), Rıhtım ve Ihlamur (1987), Fısıltılar ve Çığlıklar (1992), Aşk olsun Hayat (May Life Be Loved) 2002, Üşümez mi Sandın meşe Ağacı Soğukta (Didn't You Think the Oak Tree Wouldn't Freeze in the Cold?) and a collection of poems and a book of selected poems titled Aşk olsun Hayat. He also has a book of essays on art and artists titled Ateşin Peşinde (In Pursuit of Fire). He has held over 80 solo exhibitions both in Turkey and abroad; participated in numerous group and mixed exhibitions, and taken part in national and international fairs. He has won 16 awards. Many books, catalogs, and brochures have been published about his art; two documentary films have been made about him. His paintings are included in numerous national and international collections. He lives in Istanbul.
