CONTEMPORARY TURKISH PAINTERS

Mehmet Akkaya

Who is Mehmet Akkaya?

The artist, born in 1972, completed his undergraduate education at Gazi University, Gazi Faculty of Education, Department of Painting in 1994. He organized various art events, international festivals and workshops. He founded the first private art gallery in Aydın province in 2009.
In 2017, he received the “GÖRSED Visual Art Educator of the Year Award”.
He participated in numerous national and international group exhibitions. He still continues his artistic activities in his workshop in Aydın and Izmir.

Artistic perspective

Mehmet Akkaya’s art is built on philosophical foundations and stands out with an approach that prioritizes social criticism. Philosophical and political images are heavily featured. Additionally, it defines art as a way of life in harmony with nature and emphasizes the importance of social justice, peace and harmony with nature.
Akkaya’s art is also known for its multi-layered and diverse aspects. In his poems and works of art, elements such as images, rhythm, sound and tempo are skillfully used to ensure artistic integrity. In general, Mehmet Akkaya’s art offers an intellectual richness shaped by philosophical depth and social criticism and encourages the viewer to think about social issues.

Each painting series of the artist, who painted his works in series during his art journey, is like a reflection of the atmosphere of emotions and thoughts that intensified in that period of his life.

Personal Painting Exhibitions

2024- Gallery Hunchback-Baby- ISTANBUL
2022- Firuze Art cafe- y.foça - İZMİR
2021-“Republic of Scarecrow” Türkan Saylan Cultural Center. Maltepe - ISTANBUL
2019-“Ten Years of My Life” National Aydın Bank Cultural Center - AYDIN
2018-“Republic of Scarecrow” Yolo Art - İZMİR
2018-“Republic of the Scarecrow” Olgay Sanatevi. Cunda- Ayvalık - BALIKESİR
2018-”ROOTS” Remax Pasha Art Gallery – BODRUM
2018-“Scarecrow Republic and Roots” Ege University Mötbe Art Gallery - İZMİR
2017-“Republic of the Scarecrow” İz Art Gallery - İZMİR
2016-”ROOTS” Yolo Art - İZMİR
2015-”ROOTS” Remax Pasha Art Gallery - AYDIN
2014-”ROOTS” National Aydın Bank Cultural Center - AYDIN
2014-“Makkaya Reflections” Katakomben Theater im Girardethaus Essen- GERMANY
2013-“AŞK-ı KADİM-2” St Mary Church Art Gallery London - ENGLAND
2013-“AŞK-ı KADİM-2” Stoke Newington Library Art Gallery London - ENGLAND
2013-“AŞK-ı KADİM” London Alevi Cultural Center. London - ENGLAND
2013-“Storm Calendar Negotino Exhibition” Negotino Za Cultura Negotino - MACEDONIA
2013-“Storm Calendar Bitola Exhibition” Galeria Magnolia Magaza Bitola - MACEDONIA
2013-“14 to 14” Yazıcıoğlu Cultural Center. -INTELLECTUAL
2013-Çetin Emeç Gallery -İZMİR
2012-“Anatolian Wind in Germany” Katernberger Makt4. 45327 Essen- GERMANY
2012-“Makkaya Retrospective Exhibition” Yazıcıoğlu Cultural Center. -INTELLECTUAL
2010-Nazilli Municipality Lütfi Selek Exhibition and Culture Palace NAZİLLİ
2010-İbramaki Art Gallery. KUSADASI
2010-Çetin Emeç Gallery -İZMİR
2010-Adnan Menderes University Central Campus, Atatürk Congress Center - AYDIN
2009-''10. Fakir Baykurt Culture and Art Days'' Burdur State Fine Arts Gallery. -BURDUR
2009-Balçova Municipality Culture House. Balçova - İZMİR
2009-Haller Youth Center -ESKİŞEHİR
2009-Norm Art Gallery -İZMİR
2009-Forum AVM. -INTELLECTUAL
2007-''Poor Baykurt Culture Days'' Burdur State Fine Arts Gallery. -BURDUR
2007-Fatma Suat Orhon Museum Exhibition Hall -SÖKE
2007-State Fine Arts Gallery. -INTELLECTUAL
2007-Priene Festival. Gullubahce. -SÖKE
2007-Şükran Güngör Stage Hall ''23 April National Sovereignty Exhibition''. -INTELLECTUAL
2005-Burdur State Fine Arts Gallery. -BURDUR
2005-Aydın State Fine Arts Gallery. -INTELLECTUAL
1999-Ansan Art Gallery.-ANTALYA
1997-Hatay-Antakya Provincial Cultural Center. -HATAY
1995-Burdur State Fine Arts Gallery. -BURDUR
1993-Burdur State Fine Arts Gallery. -BURDUR

Group Painting Exhibitions Abroad

2021-Asean Contemporary Arts Workshop - THAILAND
2016- 8th Toruń International Painting Symposium - Torun - POLAND
2015- Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art annex 1F. Kyoto - JAPAN
2015- Normal University Academy of Fine Arts o Gallery. Chengdu - CHINA
2015-”Xieyunxuan Gallery Of Art” Chengdu - CHINA
2013-“Cultural Meeting in the Balkans-III” Prilep Za Cultura - MACEDONIA
2013-“Cultural Meeting in the Balkans-III” Negotino Za Cultura Negotino MACEDONIA
2012-“Cultural Meeting in the Balkans-II” Skopje City Museum - MACEDONIA
2012-“Cultural Meeting in the Balkans-II” Negotino Za Cultura Negotino - MACEDONIA
2011-“Cultural Meeting in the Balkans” Negotino Za Cultura Negotino - MACEDONIA
2011-“12 Turkish Painters in Oslo” exhibition Gallery Kunstamleren OSLO - NORWAY
2010-'Gazi University in the Struggle for the Existence of Turkish Cypriots' Activities Nicosia TRNC


Competition Awards and Juried Exhibitions

2021-Ministry of Culture "Şefik Bursalı Painting Competition" exhibition - ANKARA
2019- Colortone Painting Competition Exhibition - ISTANBUL
2018- GÖRSED Group exhibition, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Univ. - CANAKKALE
2018- 37th Turgut Pura Painting Competition'' Fatma Eye Special Award' Painting and Sculpture Museum.- İZMİR
2018- Bitabu Art gallery Painting competition exhibition (Honorable Mention) ANKARA
2016- GÖRSED Group exhibition, KTÜ. Fatih Education Faculty. Conference Hall- TRABZON
2015- “100. Battle of Çanakkale in the year Salihli - MANİSA
2015- GÖRSED Group exhibition, Nevali hotel ŞANLIURFA
2014- GÖRSED Group exhibition Erzincan University Rectorate Art Gallery – ERZİNCAN
2013- GÖRSED Group exhibition Dumlupınar University - KÜTAHYA
2012-“ŞAHMARAN” Group Painting Exhibition, Küçükçekmece Municipality, CKSM Exhibition Hall – İSTANBUL
2010-'Gazi University in the Struggle for the Existence of Turkish Cypriots' Activities -ANKARA
2010-GORSED 24 November Teachers' Day Exhibition - ANKARA
2010-II. Çanakkale Sea and Land Wars Painting and Engraving Competition - ÇANAKKALE
2010-Ankara Bar Association 'Lawyer Profession' Painting Competition - Ankara Bar Association Exhibition Hall - ANKARA
2010-''Çorlu Culture and Art Association. Painting Competition'' BC Can Photography S. Gallery Çorlu - TEKİRDAĞ
2010-''Colors of Izmir Painting Competition'' Izmir Private Fatih College Campus Art Gallery IZMIR
2010-''Women from past to present'' Painting competition exhibition. State Fine Arts Gallery Konak - İZMİR
2010-II. International Women's Day Art Meeting. Pamukkale University Congress and Exhibition Center. DENIZLI
2010-International Osteoporosis Painting Competition Exhibition – İZMİR
2009- Çanakkale Land and Sea Wars Painting Competition Naval Museum Command.- ÇANAKKALE
2009- ''28th Turgut Pura Painting and Sculpture Competition'' Painting and Sculpture Museum with my two sculpture works - İZMİR
2009-''Traces of Wars in the Turkish World'' Gazi University Painting and Sculpture Museum - ANKARA
2009-90th Anniversary of the Organization of Kuva-yı Milliye and the National Struggle Painting Competition Honorable Mention Award State Painting and Sculpture Museum – İZMİR
2009-90th Anniversary of the Organization of Kuva-yi Milliye and the National Struggle Painting Competition 2nd Prize – ISPARTA

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