BY EKİN ÇELİKKAN (EE/II)
“Üç Safyürek” (Three Naives), the latest exhibition at the Library Art Gallery, opened with a reception on Wednesday, December 18. All three artists whose works are being shown –Betül Bapir, Gülfidan Biçer and Zeynep San – were in attendance.
As naive artists, the painters did not initially receive any formal art training; they all had backgrounds in different professions. Their passion and enthusiasm for art led them to improve their painting skills, either on their own or by studying at private ateliers. Since being discovered by Fahri Aksoy, one of Turkey’s leading naive artists, the three painters have held many individual shows as well as contributed to group exhibitions.
The current exhibition comprises 37 works, the majority belonging to Ms. Biçer and Ms. San. Ms. Bapir and Ms. San explore İstanbul in their paintings, depicting characteristic features of the city without reflecting its chaotic and unsightly sides, whereas Ms. Biçer’s paintings are mainly inspired by traditional scenes or events encountered in her daily life.
In keeping with the style of naive art, the paintings, with their idiosyncratic perspectives, are simple, yet colorful and dynamic.
For those who wish to see the work of these three artists, the exhibition is open every day except Sunday between 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., and will run through January 15.
