Ümit Erzurumlu

Who is Ümit Erzurumlu? (1974-Sivas)

Born in Koyulhisar, Sivas in 1974, his interest in painting began in his primary school years. At the age of 12, encouraged by his father, he began painting in the studios of various artists, continuing his studies throughout high school. In 1992, he entered the Graphic Design Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Marmara University. During his school years, he focused intensely on printmaking techniques. In 1996, he established his own studio in Maltepe, Istanbul, and began independent art production.

Until 2002-2003, the artist created figurative expressionist paintings. In subsequent years, he began to visualize dynamic perception by creating paintings that emphasized the sense of movement through asymmetrical compositions and fragmented geometric forms. His works from this period were interpreted by some art circles as exhibiting cubic influences and a futuristic understanding of movement, and sometimes as abstract figurative works. After 2015-2016, he turned more towards an expressionist narrative language in his paintings.

In 2019, he settled in London, England, and continued his painting studies in his London studio. He was greatly influenced by England’s low-set sun, which creates long shadows, and its pastoral, town-like textures. His recent works can be interpreted as more expressionist landscape paintings and contemporary figurative works.

In 2016, one of his works from his Paris exhibition was selected for the UNESCO art collection.

In 2018, he was invited to represent Türkiye at the VI International Painting Biennial in Guayaquil & “Alvaro Noboa Ponton,” Ecuador.

The artist, who has held numerous group and solo exhibitions both domestically and internationally, continues his work in his London studio.