Artist Nurettin Kazankaya was the guest of the “Evolution of Art” program this week. Günsu Saraçoğlu, the producer and host of the program, shared detailed information about Nurettin Kazankaya’s artistic journey with the audience.
The episode, which aired on July 18, 2025, at 18:30 on Turkey News Portal’s YouTube channel, gave viewers the opportunity to explore Nurettin Kazankaya’s life journey.
Who is Nurettin Kazankaya?
Kazankaya graduated from Marmara University’s Faculty of Education and completed his master’s degree at Mimar Sinan University. Having worked as an assistant to İbrahim Çiftçioğlu for many years, the artist continues his work and mentoring students in his own studio.
The Journey with İbrahim Çiftçioğlu
Kazankaya shared his experience meeting İbrahim Çiftçioğlu and his impact on his artistic career:
“İbrahim Hoca was a great opportunity for me. He gave me an easel and said, ‘You can work here.’ He had even prepared a key and support for whenever I needed it. At that time, he was the person who nourished me the most in terms of culture, art, and painting.”
The Search for Art and Originality
Offering advice to young artists on originality, Kazankaya said:
“After receiving the right knowledge, the student should be set free. You should say, ‘Go and find your own style.’ Drawing and painting should never be abandoned, but you must combine them with your own interpretation.”
The Toy Museum and Mythological Traces
Kazankaya spoke about his connection with the Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation Toy Museum, explaining that it inspired him to work on a large-scale piece:
*”I’ve been working on a 3.5-meter painting for 2.5 years. I draw inspiration from toys and their stories. Perhaps this will be a masterpiece related to the museum.”*
Dante and the Theme of Hell
Sharing his fascination with Dante’s Divine Comedy, Kazankaya touched on his works themed around hell:
“Hell feels more mysterious with its unknown aspects. There’s also a unique beauty in evil. Gustav Doré’s engravings deeply influenced me.”
Kıyıda Magazine and the Function of Art
Mentioning his writings in Kıyıda Magazine, which reached 40 issues, Kazankaya answered the question “What is the purpose of art?” as follows:
“Art is a journey of beauty and discovery for society. For the artist, it is interpreting the existing in a different way. It’s like a fingerprint—unique to the individual.”
Digital Art and Social Media
Kazankaya also shared his interest in digital art:
“After I started working with a tablet, my horizons expanded. The important thing is finding a tool to convey your story.” He also mentioned that he shares a new drawing on social media every evening, creating a memory archive.
Advice to Young Artists: “Keep Drawing”
Kazankaya gave this message to young artists:
“Take paper and pen in your hands and keep drawing. You don’t have to be professional. What matters is reflecting your imagination into your works.”
“Evolution of Art” is produced by Mikado Communications and airs on Turkey News Portal with the sponsorship of Evrim Art Gallery.
We invite everyone who wants to explore the soul of art and discover new horizons to watch “Evolution of Art.” The program, produced by Mikado Digital Communication Agency, is prepared and hosted by Günsu Saraçoğlu and Eylül Aşkın, known for their expertise in the art world. Sponsored by Evrim Art Gallery, the program airs on Turkey News Portal.
This way, the program reflects the essence of art in the best way possible and offers viewers an extraordinary experience. “Evolution of Art” will host artists from different disciplines each week, covering topics that captivate art enthusiasts.
Remember, the Evolution of Art never stops, and we continue to witness this transformation!
