Otyam says bye-bye to Istanbul with exhibit

ISTANBUL

One of the leading figures of art, Fikret Otyam (L) has also worked with his wife, Filiz Otyam, who is known for her own wall-hanging and decorative works.

Artist Fikret Otyam’s exhibition “Bye-bye Istanbul” opened at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski Art Gallery on Nov. 7.

The 86-year-old Otyam has been painting for 69 years. In his latest exhibition, he uses acrylic on canvas to create dark-eyed working girls of Anatolia with its mountains and valleys, lakes and seas, black and white goats, donkeys, houses of different shapes, and black felt tents.

Otyam has continued to produce works while visiting different villages in Anatolia despite his advanced age. The artist chooses to deal with the difficulties of life in his works, taking photographs and then transferring them to his canvas.

He also worked with his wife, Filiz Otyam, who is known for her own wall-hanging, decorative works. The exhibition will continue until Dec. 27, 2012.

Leading figure of Turkish art

Otyam opened his first exhibition at Istanbul’s Maya Art Gallery in 1952, and is one of the leading figures in Turkish art. He started his career in journalism, working at Son Saat newspaper in 1950 before moving on to daily Cumhuriyet.

After retiring he stopped for a while to draw, and today lives in Antalya.