Numan Arslan

Who was Numan Arslan? (Kırşehir, 1948 – Istanbul, November 9, 2025)

He graduated from the Painting and Sculpture Department of Gazi Education Institute in 1969. He completed his undergraduate studies in 1983. He received his proficiency in art in 1987. In 1974, after passing the exam opened by the Ministry of National Education, he worked as a lecturer in the Painting and Sculpture Department of Samsun Education Institute, Samsun Higher Teacher Training School, and the Painting and Sculpture Education Department of Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Education. He retired as a faculty member in the Fine Arts Education Department of Anadolu University Faculty of Education. His first solo exhibition took place in Ankara (State Gallery) in 1972. He participated in numerous group and mixed exhibitions. He held nearly fifty solo exhibitions. He participated in many group and competitive exhibitions. He received an achievement award at the State Painting and Sculpture Exhibition in 1977, and purchase honorable mention awards in 1978 and 1987. His works are included in museums and domestic and international collections. Since 2010, he has served as the coordinator of the Eskişehir Tepebaşı Municipality International Art Workshop. He has participated in national and international art workshops. Notable exhibitions include “Infinity Exists,” which he opened in Ankara in 2018, the “50th Anniversary in Art” exhibition in 2019, and the “Trees” themed exhibition in Istanbul in 2025. Arslan has exhibited his works in various official museums and private collections in Turkey and has participated in national and international art events.

Art Perspective:

Arslan’s art bridges the gap between figurative and abstract art. Nature landscapes, trees, the sky, and universal symbols gain both symbolic and emotional expression in his works. The artist uses color and light in a way that creates a profound emotional experience for the viewer. Arslan’s figurative works challenge the boundaries of traditional painting, blending with modernist and expressionist influences. His artistic vision centers on a universal human experience and the symbiotic relationship between nature and humanity. According to him, painting should not only be visual but also convey an intellectual and emotional message. In each of his works, Numan Arslan takes the viewer on a visual journey while inviting them to contemplate. This approach is considered a significant example of the figurative-abstract synthesis in Turkish painting. Having mentored countless students throughout his academic life, Numan Arslan also coordinated art workshops and cultural projects. He won awards at the State Painting and Sculpture Exhibitions in 1977 and 1978, and received an honorable mention at the same exhibition in 1987.