One of the most vibrant programs in the world of culture and arts, Rengârenk, hosted painter, writer, and screenwriter İbrahim Altun this week with the warm conversation of host Zehra Aksoy. Altun, who produces works across different disciplines of art, shared insights about his artistic perspective, sources of inspiration, and future projects throughout the program.

A Journey from Japanese Culture to the Art World

İbrahim Altun elaborated on how his education in Ankara University’s Japanese Language and Literature Department influenced his artistic career. “The minimalism of Japanese aesthetics and its emphasis on details deeply shaped my understanding of composition in my paintings,” Altun said, highlighting how the use of negative space in traditional Japanese art is reflected in his own works. Sharing an anecdote from his university years, the artist explained that failing a painting class and having to extend his studies by a year became a turning point for him.

From Literature and Cinema to Painting: An Interdisciplinary Artist

The multifaceted artist explained how his experiences in literature and cinema influenced his painting practice. “The characters I created while writing novels gradually took physical form on my canvases,” Altun stated, noting that the figures in his Hotel Vagabond series emerged this way. He added that his screenwriting experience enhanced his visual storytelling skills, allowing him to visualize scenes as he wrote them.

Signature Technique: The Importance of Paper Collage and Texture

Altun’s signature paper collage technique was one of the most captivating segments of the program. “I work almost like an archaeologist, using newspaper clippings, old book pages, and discarded materials,” the artist explained, describing how each paper’s texture and interaction with glue produces different results. Noting that his studio is filled wall-to-wall with papers, Altun revealed his disciplined approach: “Sometimes I spend months searching for the right paper for a single piece.”

New Project: A Large-Scale Collage Work

The artist shared details about his ambitious new project for the first time on the program. “I’m preparing a massive collage work, spanning 3 by 4 meters, stretching from wall to wall,” Altun said, explaining that the piece explores potential future human forms by deconstructing figures. This work, which questions the genetic and digital transformations of the modern world, is set to meet audiences by the end of 2023.

The Importance of Gallery-Artist Relationships

Mentioning his long-standing collaboration with Gala Art Gallery, Altun emphasized the importance of working with the right gallery as an artist. “The artist must create, while the gallery must present and manage these works properly,” the seasoned artist stressed, underlining the vital role of this symbiotic relationship for sustainability in the art market.

Golden Advice for Young Artists

In the final segment of the program, İbrahim Altun addressed young artists with the message: “Talent alone is not enough; disciplined and consistent work is essential.” Stating that art is a marathon, Altun advised emerging talents: “Practice every day. If you paint, hold a brush every day; if you write, write every day.”

This special episode of Rengârenk offered an unmissable insight into İbrahim Altun’s artistic philosophy. You can watch the full program on YouTube.