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CLASSICS TURKISH PAINTERS

Rafet Ekiz

Rafet Ekiz (1950 Samsun – July 14, 2003 Istanbul)

Rafet Ekiz is one of the prominent painters of the second half of the 20th century in Turkish painting, distinguished by his unique language, bohemian lifestyle, and powerful form of expression. He has secured a special place in the history of contemporary Turkish painting with his original balance between abstract and figurative expression, his colorist approach, and his psychologically charged compositions.

Life and Education:

Rafet Ekiz was born in 1950 in Terme district of Samsun. He began his art education in Istanbul. He first studied painting at the Istanbul Atatürk Education Institute. Later, he continued his education at the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (formerly the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts), Department of Higher Painting. At the Academy, he studied in the studios of Özdemir Altan and Devrim Erbil, important figures in Turkish painting. This period was crucial in the formation of the artist’s unique style based on the relationship between form and color. The artist spent most of his life in Istanbul, but the cultural and social fabric of Anatolia also influenced his works.

Artistic Perspective;
In Ekiz’s paintings:
• Color is not only an aesthetic element but also a means of psychological expression.
• A transitional structure between figurative and abstract is observed.
• A sometimes harsh and unsettling plastic language is used, reflecting the inner world.
Art critics define his painting as “a structure where form carries psychological content, and color and meaning merge.” Ekiz has followed a production process based on personal exploration rather than adhering to academic conventions.

Exhibitions and His Place in the Art Scene;
Throughout his artistic career, he has participated in many group and solo exhibitions in Turkey and abroad. He has been particularly active in the art circles of Istanbul and Ankara since the 1980s. His works are:
• In private collections
• Institutional collections
• In international art collections
His works have been subject to auction sales at different times and have found buyers at varying price ranges.

Solo Exhibitions;
1986 - Galata Art Gallery, Istanbul
1987 - Teşvikiye Art Gallery, Istanbul
1988 - Teşvikiye Art Gallery, Istanbul
1988 - Urart Art Gallery, Ankara
1989 - Ramko Art Center, Istanbul
1990 - Armoni Art Gallery, Ankara
1991 - Ramko Art Center, Istanbul
1992 - Galeri Micro - Sweden
1994 - Baku Exhibition
1994 - Datyadost Art Gallery, Istanbul
1996 - Passion Art Gallery, Istanbul
1997 - İlayda Art Gallery, Ankara
1997 - G.F. Gallery, Izmir
2003 - Terakki Art Gallery, Istanbul
2003 - Terakki Art Gallery Foundation International Contemporary Art Meeting, Istanbul
2004 - İTK Gazi Mustafa Kemal Paşa Art Gallery, Izmir
2006 - AKM Retrospective Exhibition, Istanbul
2013 - Harmony Art Gallery

Awards;
1972 - Main Prize in Internal Studio Competitions
1972 - 2nd Prize of the Turkish Inter-University Red Crescent Society
1973 - Republic of Turkey 50th Anniversary School Festival Painting Category School 1st Prize
1974 - Diploma Competition 1st Prize
1976 - Istanbul (International) Archaeology Museum Open Air Exhibition Painting Category Award
1979 - DYO Painting Competition Honorable Mention
1982 - Home Decoration Magazine, Golden Palette Competition, Achievement Award
1983 - Home Decoration Magazine Golden Palette Award
1984 - Talens Paints Painting Competition Honorable Mention
1985 - International Istanbul Culture Festival (Painting Competition) Contemporary Artists, Painting Category, Art Award

His Personality and Perception in the Art World;
Ekiz was known in art circles as:
• Rebellious and free-spirited
• Distant from rules
• Advocating against imitation
His daily life, as well as his artistic life, had a bohemian character, which contributed to him gaining the identity of a "cult artist".

His Death;
Rafet Ekiz passed away in Istanbul on July 14, 2003. His death was considered a premature loss in Turkish art circles.

His Significance in Turkish Painting:

Rafet Ekiz's importance in art history can be summarized under the following headings:
• Being one of the representatives of the search for individual expression in Turkish painting after 1980
• Establishing a unique bridge between figurative and abstract expression
• Maintaining his personal artistic language despite the academic tradition
Although Ekiz is now outside the mainstream of art history, he continues to be remembered as a "cult artist" in contemporary Turkish painting due to his unique style and personal artistic approach.

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