Masterpieces of Turkish art to go for sale under hammer

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Burhan Doğançay’s ‘Born to be Free’ (L) and Erol Akyavaş’s ‘Fallen City’ (R) are highlights of the auction to be held on Nov 18.

Exceptional paintings by some of the most important modern and contemporary Turkish artists will be up for sale at an auction by Antik A.Ş on Nov. 18.

The offering is set to feature the work of premiere Turkish artists including Fahrel Nisa Zeid, Erol Akyavaş, Burhan Doğançay, Mubin Orhon, Ferruh Başağa and Adnan Çoker. Some 225 lots of museum-quality artwork and masterpieces from the 1950s to today will be presented at the auction, which will take place on Nov. 18 at the Swissotel Bosphorus.

“It is a great honor for Antik A.Ş. to be entrusted with such an important group of work that offers a panoramic view of modern and contemporary Turkish art. Individually and collectively, all the pieces represent a remarkable opportunity for collectors,” said Olgaç Artam, auctioneer of the sale.
One of the highlights of the sale is Akyavaş’s “Fallen City,” a monumental canvas from 1982. The work has an estimated $300,000-400,000 value and is expected to generate tremendous excitement among buyers.

“Born to be free,” another spectacular canvas by Doğançay, the highest-priced living artist in Turkey, has a starting cost of $250,000–350,000. “Homage to calligraphy V,” painted by Doğançay in 1984, has an estimated $100,000–150,000 value.

Another highlight of the sale comes from leading abstract artist Orhon, whose oil on canvas painting from 1963 will start at $400,000–500,000. A monumental abstract work by Başağa titled, “Blue Mediterranean” will be offered in the auction as well, at an estimated $250,000–350,000.
Zeid’s “Polish Village on the Bosphorus,” which has never been on the market since its 1944 exhibition, will also be available. Çoker will be represented by five museum quality pieces totaling $500,000–600,000.

Works Other masters

The auction will additionally feature pieces by modern artists Ömer Uluç, Mehmet Güleryüz, İlhan Koman, Alaettin Aksoy, Neşe Erdok, Hakkı Anlı, Abddurrahman Öztoprak, Güngör Taner, Avni Arbaş, Orhan Peker, Neşe Erdok, Cihat Burak, Komet, Turan Erol, Ergin Inan, Kemal Önsoy, Güngör Taner, Asim İşler, Abddurrahman Öztoprak, Zekai Ormancı, Mustafa Ata, Canan Tolon, Ansen, Bedri Baykam and Azade Köker.

A special catalogue has been prepared for the collection, which will be on display until Nov. 18. Antik A.Ş. holds all the auction sales records in the Turkish art market. Some of its most successful sales last season include Akyavaş’s “I am the truth” (selling for 1,280,000 euros), “The Siege” (1,274,000 euros) and “Vav” (565,000 euros) as well as Doğançay’s “Symphony in Blue” (1,260,000 euros) and Orhon’s “Abstract” (696,048 euros).