
Who is Ülkü Aksoy (1974 – Safranbolu)
The artist, born in 1974, has worked intensively in various artistic disciplines throughout different stages of her life. After graduating from the Faculty of Economics at Anadolu University, she decided to pursue education in the field of art, a passion she had carried since childhood. She studied at the Pera Fine Arts Academy in Istanbul, in the Theatre Main Art Department – Acting Division, with a scholarship, while also acting at the Bursa State Theatre during the same period. She has gained various experiences in her artistic career by working in roles such as assistant director, voiceover-dubbing, and presenting at TRT Istanbul Television.
Continuing her artistic journey without pause, the artist developed her skills in visual arts by taking courses in pencil drawing and watercolor painting. She also pursued painting studies at the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Conservatory Fine Arts Painting Department. During her time in Belgium, she took English language courses and continued her painting work there as well. By visiting many major museums and galleries, she had the opportunity to closely examine the works of famous painters, drawing inspiration from these experiences and enriching her artistic understanding.
Since returning to Turkey in 2014, the artist has continued her work in her own studio in Maşukiye, Kocaeli, focusing on fantastic-figurative female portraits. With her ongoing works, she invites art enthusiasts into her unique world.
Art Perspective;
In her works, the artist uses the female image not just as a figure but as a carrier of emotions and narratives. Developing a distinctive language on her canvases, she creates female characters that move freely in their dream world, discovering their identities and exploring the world through colors. These women symbolize various emotional states, self-confidence, and zest for life, while also inviting the viewer on an emotional journey. Yet, within this colorful universe, the sorrow in their eyes, the deep pain in their gazes, and their inner loneliness are also perceptible. The artist’s canvases reflect not only the beauty of the external world but also its darker side, revealing the social and individual realities in their rawest form.
The artist not only seeks aesthetic value in her works but also shapes her art with experience and courage. By combining various techniques, she creates a creative experimental space, pushing boundaries by blending both traditional and contemporary styles. Each new technique brings forth a different form of expression, while each new style connects the viewer with diverse emotions. This diversity showcases the artist's bold and free-spirited creative process. In her experimental works, she often chooses compositions and forms with high emotional intensity, ensuring that each piece carries deep layers of meaning.
Exhibitions Attended;
Akdora Art Gallery; “Journey to New Hope” – New Year Group Exhibition - December 14-31, 2024
ArtNova Art Fair - October 17-20, 2024
Istanbul Beykent University – Pinelo Art Gallery Batumi Exhibition, Batumi, Georgia (February 7-11, 2024)
Gallery Arts’s & Ava Art Group 31. Online Group Exhibitions - December 26-31, 2023
Color Encounters International Exhibitions - November 23-26, 2023, Burgas, Bulgaria
Bahariye Art Gallery “All The Stars” International Online Exhibitions -October 10 – November 10, 2022
Arts Gallery – 2nd “We Face Portraits” Mixed Contemporary Art Exhibition
Cap Gallery “Identity in Art” 2022 National Mixed Contemporary Art Exhibition
IAAF Istanbul Art & Antique Fair Online Exhibitions 2021
Arts Gallery - Artsonline 6th “30 Artists 30 Works” Exhibition, Mixed Contemporary Art Exhibition
Luna- Grande-Art Gallery “Paradigma” Visual Arts Group Exhibition - 2021
Cap Gallery “Contemporary in Art” National Mixed Contemporary Art Exhibition - 2021
Cap Gallery “Story in Art” Online Mixed Contemporary Art Exhibition- 2021
Kader Aktü Workshop Year-End Group Exhibition – 2008
Kocaeli Süleyman Demirel Cultural Center Group Exhibition – 2007
KOMEK Year-End Exhibitions – 2005/2006