Who was Attila Bayraktar (1935 – 2007)?
From Graphic Arts to Abstract Painting: An Artistic Journey Matured in France
His Life:
Attila Bayraktar was born in Düzce in 1935. After graduating from the Istanbul Academy of Fine Arts, he moved his artistic journey to Europe at an early age and went to France in 1957. This date became a decisive turning point in both his life and production.
In 1952, he entered the Decoration Department of the Academy of Fine Arts. He studied under Zeki Faik İzer and Namık Bayık in the intermediate and advanced sections of the Poster Workshop. He graduated from the academy in 1957.
In his final years as a student, he won second place in the Yapı Kredi Bank poster competition and first and second place awards for two posters he submitted to the Pension Fund Poster Competition. He created panels for many pavilions at the İzmir Fair and the Istanbul Industrial exhibitions.
Attila, who had dabbled in caricature before attending the academy, had his caricatures published in the magazines Karakedi, Tef, 41 Buçuk, Akbaba, and the Akşam newspaper until 1958.
He worked at the San Organization Advertising Workshop, founded by Mengü Ertel, from its establishment until his departure to France.
In 1957, he exhibited his posters in his first solo exhibition at the Fuaye Art Gallery.
Since his true aim was to express himself through painting in the field of visual arts, he took private lessons from his teacher Sabri Berkel in addition to studying poster design during his academy years. After a short period of work inspired by nature, he turned to abstract painting, a movement of the Avant-Grade in the 1950s. He met Nuri İyem, and their friendship continued in a master-apprentice manner.
With the decision to learn painting more thoroughly and in its proper context, he completely abandoned the field of graphic design and emigrated to France in the autumn of 1957 on the same ship as Erdal Alantar.
In Paris, he met and befriended many Turkish artists such as Selim Turan, Nejad, Avni Arbaş, Hakkı Anlı, Remzi Raşa, İhsan Şurdum, Mübin Orhon, Adnan Varıca, and Adnan Çoker, as well as numerous French and other international artists.
In 1961, he entered the Paris National Academy of Fine Arts. He left in his second semester and continued his studies independently at the Louvre Museum, working on studies and copies.
For many years, he studied the works of old masters in the Louvre and other museums in France and Europe.
Having lived in France for many years, Bayraktar settled in the town of Saint Sauveur in 1984 due to his French wife Marie-Paule’s job. He spent the last period of his life in this small French town, continuing his artistic production there.
He passed away in 2007 at the age of 72 in the Saint Sauveur hospital where he was receiving treatment. The artist was buried in the same town.
Education and Period in Turkey;
After graduating from the Istanbul Academy of Fine Arts, Attila Bayraktar began producing work in the fields of:
• Graphic design
• Poster art
• Cartooning. In the 1950s, his drawings were published in important humor magazines in Turkey, and he won awards in poster competitions.
Emigration to France and Artistic Transformation
His settling in France in 1957 created a radical transformation in the artist's production. In the Paris art scene, he established relationships with:
• Turkish painters
• French avant-garde artists
• European modern art circles. During this process, his graphic-based drawing style gradually gave way to:
• abstraction
• free brushwork
• atmospheric surfaces.
The Saint Sauveur Period and Years of Maturity; The artist's most productive and mature period began after he settled in the town of Saint Sauveur. Here:
• local landscapes
• cloudy skies
• rural atmosphere
• small French town life formed the basic themes of his paintings. The town's former mayor, Prof. In the words of Claude Boutet: “No artist has ever depicted the appearance of this town and the cloudy sky as it is today, like Attila Bayraktar.”
Artistic Approach;
Three fundamental aspects are evident in Bayraktar's art:
1. Graphic Origins
His background in posters and caricatures strengthened his linear discipline.
2. Abstract Atmosphere
During his time in France, nature was transformed into a completely abstract and semi-abstract language.
3. Space and Light
Especially in the landscapes of Saint Sauveur:
• cloudy sky
• changing light
• the texture of the town have become important narrative elements.
Educator Identity and Art Environment
During his years in Saint Sauveur, the artist:
• taught classes at the "Le Grenier" workshop affiliated with the municipality
• contributed to the training of young artists
• played a role in the development of the local art scene
Funeral and Art Environment
Attila Bayraktar's funeral took place in Saint Sauveur. The ceremony was attended by his artist friends from Paris, Neveser Aksoy, Hikmet Karabulut, Semiha Evcimen, his family, and close circle. His son Harun played the guitar, and his daughter-in-law recited poems by Nazım Hikmet.
His Position in Turkish Painting History
Attila Bayraktar:
• Coming from a graphic arts background
• Matured his art in Europe
• Belonging to the generation of Turkish painters who lived in France
• Is considered an artist who turned to abstract painting.
General Assessment;
Attila Bayraktar's art is a production process shaped by the transformation of the graphic discipline that began in Turkey into abstract painting in France. The town of Saint Sauveur became not only a living space for him but also the main source of his paintings.
His painting language, created with cloudy skies, rural atmospheres, and simple life images, makes him one of the artists who bridges the gap between the Turkish and European art scenes.
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- Attila Bayraktar
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- Attila Bayraktar
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- Attila Bayraktar
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- Attila Bayraktar
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- Attila Bayraktar
