The guest of this episode of Eylül Aşkın İle, hosted by Eylül Aşkın and filmed at Bohem Art Gallery on Lüleci Hendek Street, was painter and curator Nuray Özler Yolcu.

“I Grew Up in a Village.”

Born in Bulgaria, Nuray Özler Yolcu moved to Turkey with her family in 1989. She stated that no one in her family had been involved in art before her, adding: “For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an incredible fascination with colors. I grew up in a village. I would draw on every piece of paper I could find, and my family would hide the pencils from me at home. I was a child who always said, ‘When I grow up, I will be a painter.’”

On Exhibition Titles…

A graduate of Fine Arts High School and Mimar Sinan University’s Painting Department, Nuray Özler Yolcu also has a deep passion for literature. When asked by Eylül Aşkın about the connection between her works and literature, she acknowledged a poetic bond, saying:

“I have loved reading books since childhood. In high school, I would read while standing on the bus. I don’t choose exhibition titles just to make them sound poetic, but I do want them to serve as a guide for what I aim to express. My audience appreciates this as well.”

“I Like to Challenge Myself.”

Emphasizing that she is not an artist who takes the easy route, Nuray Özler Yolcu expressed that she enjoys the struggle of progressing in challenging areas. Regarding her creative process, she explained:

“I usually create my works through observation. I take photographs. Perhaps due to my background in literature, philosophy, and the things I read, a theme naturally forms in my mind. As I pursue that theme, I develop my work by immersing myself in the moment.”

Curating the “Eşikte” Exhibition This Month!

Nuray Özler Yolcu will be curating Eşikte, the fourth solo exhibition of Tülin Akkaş, which will be on display at Galeri Deniz from February 6 to 23. Having previously curated the group exhibition Bağ at Arthan Gallery in 2023, she continues to make significant strides in the field of curatorship. She also announced that she will be curating a group exhibition during the summer following Eşikte.

Fifth Solo Exhibition Coming in May!

Regarding the theme of her upcoming solo exhibition, Yolcu remarked, “It may not be an entirely new subject.” Reflecting on her past works, she often finds herself thinking, “This could have led to another theme as well.” She hinted that her fifth solo exhibition might draw inspiration from her previous works or serve as a continuation of a concept she has explored before.