Galeri Artmahall is honored to host the exhibition titled “DUENDE,” bringing together two significant names of contemporary art, Prof. Dr. Lütfü Kaplanoğlu and Prof. Burhan Ahmeti, between September 2 – 28, 2025.
The exhibition draws inspiration from the concept of “Duende,” used by the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca to describe the mystical and profound effect of art. The exhibition reveals two distinct manifestations of this powerful concept: on one hand, an inward journey questioning spiritual memory; on the other, a theatrical narrative reflecting the rhythm and identity of the Balkan geography.
About the Exhibition
Prof. Lütfü Kaplanoğlu’s paintings are, in the artist’s own words, “the spiritual journey of his childhood”… Each canvas offers a passage flowing between the conscious and the unconscious, turning the linear flow of time into a circular cycle. While concrete figures emerging within abstract spaces speak with the theme of reincarnation, surfaces act as doors; colors and textures invite the viewer into the work as vibrations. Prof. Lütfü Kaplanoğlu processes these mystical frequencies with a contemporary material language.
Prof. Burhan Ahmeti reconstructs the rich layers of cultural memory of the Balkan geography with a modern painting language. His academic mastery in graphic arts and his identity as an educator lend his works a clear rhythm and a theatrical stage sense. The fragmented surfaces and mask-like figurations in his works create visual allegories on identity, belonging, and relationships. Ahmeti, whose international success is certified by exhibitions in world cities such as New York, Paris, and Berlin, continues to make significant contributions to the continuity of contemporary art not only through his production but also by serving as a professor in Skopje.
The Artists
Prof. Dr. Lütfü Kaplanoğlu (b. 1973, Erzurum)
Prof. Dr. Lütfü Kaplanoğlu, the Head of the Art Department at Yıldız Technical University Faculty of Art and Design, has held solo exhibitions in Denmark, Spain, Italy, Macedonia, and Canada. Having participated in over 200 group projects, Kaplanoğlu continues to exhibit his works at Artmahall, which he designed as an art meeting point.
Prof. Burhan Ahmeti (b. 1978, Gostivar)
The artist’s proficiency in graphic arts is certified by prestigious international awards such as the 2018 National Gallery of Macedonia “Best Print” Award, the 2014 Balaton Award, and the 2010 DLUM Graphic Award. Ahmeti’s works combine figurative elements with abstract arrangements, transforming individual and collective memory into a powerful visual narrative.
Visit Information;
Date: September 2 – 28, 2025
Location: 📍 Artmahall, Susam Sokak No 5, Cihangir, Istanbul
Visiting Hours: Daily 11:00–21:00
