Hosted by Beyoğlu Municipality and organized at the 6th Circle Art Gallery, the ´A Life Spent with Art´ exhibition brings art lovers together with a multifaceted artist. While the veteran musician, composer, producer and painter Nino Varon carries traces of the past to the present with his paintings, he also fascinates the audience by sharing the stories behind his works with his humorous style. Curated by Yeşer Yelmez, the exhibition offers visitors not only an art exhibition but also an opportunity for a sincere and deep conversation. This enjoyable interview with Nino Varon sheds light on the depths of a life spent with art.
The ´A Life Spent with Art´ exhibition, which is open until January 24, takes art lovers on a nostalgic journey and invites them to the limitless world of creativity. I recommend that you do not miss this colorful exhibition in Beyoğlu.
First of all, I would like to ask curator Yeşer Yelmez to tell us about the exhibition. How did the process of this exhibition from the idea stage to the realization take shape?
Y.Yelmez: We met Nino Bey two years ago through an exhibition. As an independent curator, I made him an exhibition proposal. We included all periods of Nino Bey's artistic journey in this exhibition. We had a long and meticulous preparation process. We separated the works of the past thematically and brought them to the exhibition. You will feel his story in each of his works, from his passion for Büyükada to his love for Istanbul. I can say that we are faced with the works of a multidisciplinary artist; because we can also see the colorful world in his music in his paintings.
You have achieved many successes in your musical career. How did the idea of transferring art to the canvas come about?
N.Varon: This passion of mine dates back to a very young age. I started drawing when I was seven or eight years old. When I was ten years old, I drew a sailboat on a tile in Büyükada, I still remember that moment. Over time, I realized my drawing skills. When my brother saw the patterns I drew on the floor tiles in America, he said to me, “You should definitely start this when you return to Turkey.” I started with his suggestion and first worked on tiles, then moved on to canvas. I like drawing mechanical details in painting; diving into the details of objects like boats, machines and even guitars makes me very happy.
How do you establish a connection between music and painting?
When I get tired while making music, I take paper and draw to calm down. This is a process that relaxes my mind. After drawing for two days, I can go back to the studio and sit at the piano. I establish a unique connection between the harmony of colors and the rhythm of music.
You tell the traces of the past that you depict on the canvas. What stories from your life can we see in these works?
I like to draw the nostalgic ferries and boats of Büyükada and the life there the most. I give the ships a unique look in my drawings. I draw plump, upturned ships. Unlike painters who draw classic ships, I have adopted this style and people love these ships.
What do you want to make art lovers feel with this exhibition?
I want to make viewers feel the nostalgia of the past through art. I aim for people visiting my exhibition to bring their own stories together with these paintings. Especially for those who know Büyükada, this exhibition is like a return to the past.
Do you plan to focus on different themes in your paintings and develop innovative projects?
Of course, I like to constantly try new things. The sail motifs I draw are especially appreciated. That's why I plan to make pencil drawings on 40x30 paper in a more accessible format. I have already made some preparations for this. I also do experimental work on prints. I create different textures and effects by reprinting my own drawing and working on it again. This process provides me with a very creative space.
Apart from this, I am also interested in exploring different materials. For example, I am trying to paint glass bottles and glass bricks. Blue glass bricks in particular do not require paint. I plan to make original designs in the style of jewelry by working with these types of materials. I think that creativity has no limits and this always motivates me. I will continue to produce new projects with different themes and materials.
As a versatile person in art, what advice would you like to give to young artists?
Painting is a talent. I advise those with drawing talent to create concrete, story-telling works. Painting talent can also be used in abstract drawings, but motifs that tell a story create a stronger bond with the viewer.
Source: https://www.salom.com.tr/haber/136737/sanatla-harmanlanmis-bir-omur-nino-varonun-cok-yonlu-dunyasina-yolculuk