Who is Özer Çağlar? (1981-Gaziantep)
Özer Çağlar was born in 1981 in Şehitkâmil district of Gaziantep, Turkey. He completed his primary education in a village school far from the city. His time at a boarding school for middle school marked the beginning of everything, a time when his passion and talent for painting emerged. Despite never having an art teacher or being exposed to serious art environments during his middle and high school years, his artistic talent naturally surfaced. After graduating from high school in the field of jewelry design, Özer Çağlar won third place in the Gazi University Painting Department in 1997. He received his basic art education from Himmet Gümrah and his workshop classes from Söbütay Özer, graduating in 2002. In 2003, he was appointed as an art teacher in a beautiful town in Anatolia and began his career. One of his first endeavors was to establish a workshop, and he continued his painting studies without interruption. In 2010, he was appointed to the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce Fine Arts High School through a Ministry exam (Anatolian High Schools Exam) held in Ankara. He currently works as a painting teacher at the GTO Fine Arts High School.
In 2015, his work on museum projects inspired him to think about urban aesthetics, art in cities, art in public spaces, and public art, leading him to decide to pursue a master’s degree in urban studies. He completed his master’s degree in Urban Studies at the Gaziantep University Sociology Department. During these years, Çağlar focused on wax sculpture alongside his museum work. Having learned and developed the art of wax sculpture entirely on his own, Çağlar has created a hyperrealistic style of sculpture. In addition to wax sculptures, Çağlar also creates monumental sculptures. Çağlar is a member of BHRD, GÖRSED, USB, and serves on the Gaziantep City Council Culture Directorate’s art review board.
Çağlar has earned everyone’s admiration with his diligence. To date, he has held five solo exhibitions, created two monumental sculptures, produced wax sculptures and designs for three different museums, and created metal sculptures for various venues. Çağlar is one of the rare painters who embodies and practices the artist-teacher school of thought.
Çağlar has occasionally served as a juror in private and public institutions. Believing that social media platforms are more effective in bringing his work to the public today, Çağlar describes this as “art from a distance.” Continuing his work in his studio in Gaziantep, Çağlar’s artistic vision is as follows: He interprets the relationships between objects in his immediate and distant environment and humans through the use of stain, color, form, and paint. He works mostly on canvas, based on drawing. Color is prominent in his paintings. He attempts to apply color theory through mathematical calculations. While adhering to forms, barrels, carriages, goats, and hibiscus flowers have been the main subjects of his paintings. He views his studio environment as a laboratory and, within a more experimental painting approach, has developed his paintings within an academic framework. Çağlar views art as an intellectual discipline.
Solo Exhibitions:
- Opened her 5th solo exhibition at Primall Art Gallery (2019 Gaziantep)
- Opened her 4th solo exhibition at Sanko Park Art Gallery (2014 Gaziantep)
- Opened her 3rd solo exhibition at Stillife Art Gallery. (2014 Çankaya-Ankara)
- Opened his 2nd solo exhibition at Sanko Park Art Gallery (2011 Gaziantep)
- Opened his first solo exhibition (State Fine Arts Exhibition Hall (2009 Gaziantep))
Awards;
- Received an honorable mention in the 2018 “July 15 Spirit” Visual Arts Competition, Cartoon Category (Antalya-Kepez)
- Received an honorable mention in the 2018 “Bolu Nature and History” Painting Competition (Bolu)
- In the 2007 Turkish Pharmacists Association 50th Anniversary Painting Competition, his oil painting titled "Purple Barrels" (120 x 150 cm) was deemed worthy of an honorable mention and an award.
Exhibitions, Competitions, and Workshops Participated In:
- 2025 Ankara Elvan Art Gallery “Intersecting Paths”
- 2025 Ankara Elvan Art Gallery “New Year”
- 2025 5th Traditional International Niğde Art Festival Painting Workshop (August 25-31 (Niğde))
- 2025 Isparta Şarkikaraağaç International Art Symposium (July 26-31 - Isparta)
- 2024 4th Traditional Bor “Tyana” Art Festival Painting Workshop (April 22-28 Bor-Niğde)
- 2024 Şanlıurfa Meeting Group Exhibition (USB) Şanlıurfa
- 2024 Nasrettin Hoca Art Symposium (Sivrihisar/ July 5-7 / Eskişehir)
- 2024 Uşak Meeting Group Painting Exhibition (USBD, Uşak Municipality/ (Uşak)
- Participation in the 2020 “Art Ankara” Art Fair (Ankara)
- Participation in the 2020 Famagusta Scrap Art Workshop (Halibasart-TRNC)
- Participation in the 2020 Famagusta Art Workshop (TRNC)
- Participation in the 2020 “Small Works” Exhibition “Sanko Art Gallery” (Gaziantep)
- Participation in the 2019 “Flower” Themed Painting Workshop (Sankopark – Gaziantep University – Metropolitan Municipality)
- Participated in the 2019 Niğde/Bor International Painting and Sculpture Art Workshop (Niğde)
- One of her works was selected for exhibition in the 2018 “Bolu Nature and History” Painting Competition (Bolu)
- Participation in the 2018 “July 15 Spirit” Visual Arts Competition, Cartoon Category - Received Honorable Mention and Exhibition Selection. (Antalya/Kepez)
- Participated in the 2018 Niğde/Bor “Meeting for Peace” International Painting and Sculpture Art Workshop. (Niğde)
- Participated in the 2018 “Flower” Themed Painting Workshop. (Sankopark – Gaziantep University – Metropolitan Municipality)
- Participated in the 2017 “Painters Who Dedicate Their Hearts to Gaziantep” Workshop. (Metropolitan Municipality Art Center)
- Participated in the 2017 GÖRSED Meeting with a painting. (GÖRSED - Dicle University - Diyarbakır)
- Became a GÖRSED member in 2017.
- Participated in the 2017 1st National Şanlı Urfa Meeting Painting Exhibition with a painting. (Şanlıurfa)
- In 2017, participated in the Yunus Ensari III Painting Competition with a painting titled “Pink”. - "Barrels" artwork selected for exhibition. (Ankara)
- 2017 "5th Bolu and Köroğlu" Painting Competition: One artwork selected for exhibition. (Bolu)
- 2016 Nev Age Group Painting Exhibition: One artwork participated. (Dedeman, Istanbul)
- 2016 Gaziantep Art Center: Participated in the "Journey to Anatolia" 10th Stop Group Exhibition. (Gaziantep)
- 2016 73rd State Painting and Sculpture Competition: "Barrels" artwork selected for exhibition. (Ankara)
- https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/medya/fotograf/fotodokuman/7774
- 2016 "4th/5th Bolu and Köroğlu" Painting Competition: Three paintings selected for exhibition. (Bolu)
- 2015 II. Yunus Ensari Painting Competition: "Blue Barrels" - His work was selected for exhibition. (Ankara)
- In 2015, he participated in the Tusgat 2 Meeting with Sanko Art Gallery with 6 works. (Ankara)
- In 2015, he became a member of BRHD.
- In 2014, he participated in the Drawing Workshop of Gaziantep University Faculty of Fine Arts. (Gaziantep)
- In 2014, one of his works was selected for exhibition in the RH+ Magazine Young Painter of the Year Competition. (Istanbul)
- In 2014, he opened his 4th solo exhibition at Sanko Park Art Gallery. (Gaziantep)
- In 2014, he opened his 3rd solo exhibition at Stillife Art Gallery. (Çankaya/Ankara)
- In 2013, two of his works were selected for exhibition in the Sada Painting Competition. (Niğde)
- In 2012, he participated in the "Gaziantep Painters" Group Exhibition. (Sanko Art Gallery)
- - Opened his 2nd solo exhibition at Sanko Park Art Gallery in 2011 (Gaziantep).
- His work titled "Barrels" was selected for exhibition in the 2011 Küçük Çekmece Painting Competition (Istanbul).
- Opened his 1st solo exhibition in 2009 (State Fine Arts Exhibition Hall - Gaziantep).
- Participated in the Turan Erol and Söbütay Özer Students' Group Exhibition in memory of Söbütay Özer in 2008 (Çankaya-Ankara).
- Participated in the Gaziantep Painting Teachers' Group Painting Exhibition in 2007 (Sanko Art Gallery, Gaziantep).
- His work "Ruins" was selected for exhibition in the 2nd İnönü University International Painting Competition in 2007 (Malatya).
- Participated in exhibitions in Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir in 2007.
- Selected for exhibition in the 6th Şefik Bursalı Painting Competition in 2006. (Ankara)
- Received an exhibition award at the 65th State Painting and Sculpture Competition in 2006. (Ankara)
- Received an exhibition award at the 3rd Şefik Bursalı Painting Competition in 2005. (Ankara)
Sculpture Works;
- 2020 Created wax sculptures of Şahinbey and his family (Şahinbey-Gaziantep).
- 2019 Created a stone monument, 4 meters high and 2.35 meters wide, with an inscription on a tortoise-shaped base, adhering to the actual dimensions of the Bilge Kağan Monument (GTO Fine Arts High School).
- 2019 Created a 70x100cm relief portrait of Fatih for institutions; 10 copies were made and processed. 7 were given as special works to institutions.
- 2019 Created 6 wax sculptures for Şiveydiz Culinary Arts Center, depicting an Antep house and an Antep family dinner table. (Gaziantep)
- In 2017, he created wax sculptures for the Pistachio Museum (Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality)
- In 2015, he created a metal monument sculpture of a weightlifter for the Olympic Preparation Center (Gaziantep)
- In 2012, he created metal sculptures of athletes and sports for Gaziantep Sports Park (Gaziantep)
- In 2012, he created 12 sculptures for the Kilis Culture House (Neşet Efendi Mansion) (Gaziantep)
- In 2011, he created an Atatürk statue and monument at the Fevzi Paşa Train Station in commemoration of Atatürk's visit to Gaziantep (Gaziantep)
- In 2008, he created sculptures for the Gaziantep War Museum. (Gaziantep)
- In 2008, he created a figurine of the Mars statue located in the Zeugma Museum for tourism purposes (Joint project with museum staff) (Gaziantep)
- In 2007, he participated in sculpture works at the Aksaray Cultural Center (Aksaray)
Art events, symposiums, festivals and workshops he attended;
- 2025 5th Traditional International Niğde Art Festival Painting Workshop (August 25-31 (Niğde))
- 2025 Isparta Şarkîkaraağaç International Art Symposium (July 26-31 -Isparta)
- 2024 4th Traditional Bor “Tyana” Art Festival Painting Workshop (April 22-28 Bor-Niğde)
- 2024 Nasrettin Hoca Art Symposium (Sivrihisar/ July 5-7 /Eskişehir)
- 2020 Famagusta Scrap Art Workshop (Halibasart-TRNC)
- 2020 Famagusta Art Workshop (TRNC)
- 2019 Gaziantep University, Metropolitan Municipality, Sanko Art Gallery Joint “Flower” Painting Workshop (Gaziantep)
- 2019 - Niğde Bor participated in the "Niğbor" Art Workshop in the Painting and Sculpture categories. (Niğde)
- 2018 Gaziantep University, Metropolitan Municipality, Sanko Art Gallery Joint "Flower" Painting Workshop (Gaziantep)
- 2018 Niğde Bor participated in the "Niğbor" Art Workshop in the Painting and Sculpture categories. (Niğde)
- 2017 Gaziantep Painters' Workshop (Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality and Art Center) (Gaziantep)
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
-
- Özer Çağlar
