The 7th episode of the art program “Rengârenk,” hosted by Zehra Aksoy, aired on the Turkey News Portal and YouTube channel. This week’s guest on the program was painter Alev Özas, known for her energy and positivity, who reflects Istanbul and world cities onto the canvas with her colors and brushstrokes.

Özas, a graduate of the Painting-Teaching Department at Marmara University’s Atatürk Faculty of Education, continued her art education in the workshop of the late Ramiz Aydın. The artist, who worked extensively on color harmony and Tachism (stain painting), also developed her brush discipline and compositional understanding by working with Devrim Erbil for 8 years.

From Theater to Canvas: An Interdisciplinary Art Journey

In the program, Özas explained that her first connection with art was established with the stage during her childhood years. She stated that she had to choose between theater and painting and chose painting. However, she maintained her interest in theater by designing stage decorations, adding that large-scale decor paintings gave her courage and spatial mastery.

“Painting Equals Mathematics”: An Art in the Footsteps of Ramiz Aydın

Describing the master painter Ramiz Aydın as “the teacher who taught the mathematics of painting,” Özas said she blended the Tachist and colorist approach she learned from him with her own expressive and figurative style. She emphasized that the apparent randomness and exuberance in her works are actually created with a deep knowledge of composition, color, and balance.

Over 80 Exhibitions and “Resisting Lines”

Having participated in over 80 solo and group exhibitions, Özas highlighted that she was particularly influenced by exhibitions that were social responsibility projects. She described her series “Resisting Lines,” which she launched in 2025, as a reference to the struggle of the country and its people to stand, resist, and exist despite the difficulties they face.

Passion for Large Scales and Social Responsibility

Özas stated that her time as a muralist gave her the confidence to work on large-scale projects and recalled creating a massive 50-meter Istanbul panorama. She expressed her goal of turning this huge work into a social responsibility project by donating the proceeds from its sale to orphaned children, and her desire to realize this dream.

Advice to Young Artists: “Stay Away from Ego, Think Universally”

Addressing young artists as an art instructor, Özas advised, “Work hard, produce a lot, read a lot, and learn art history well.” She stated that her most important message was to “stay away from ego,” adding, “Instead of competing with those beside you, journey together. Think universally, draw nourishment from every culture, and always look ahead.”