The 77th episode of “The Evolution of Art,” prepared in collaboration with Evrim Art and Mikado Communication and hosted by Günsu Saraçoğlu, featured cartoonist and painter Devrim Demiral as its guest.
In the program, many topics such as Demiral’s artistic journey, his perspective on the arts of caricature and painting, the power of humor in visual arts, and the effects of digitalization on art were discussed in depth.
“Caricature is a Tremendous Source that Nourishes Fine Art”
Stating that humor is inherent in the nature of art, Demiral said, “It’s not very possible to find a work of art that doesn’t contain humor. While caricature is a completely different language on its own, humor takes on a more refined form in painting or literature. Humor sharpens your perspective on life, allows you to perceive events better, and gives you the freedom of deformation.”
Emphasizing that being in the same environment as masters like Turhan Selçuk, Ali Ulvi, and Necmi Rıza Ayça in his youth was a “Renaissance school” experience for him, Demiral stated that this period contributed greatly to both his intellectual accumulation and his artistic vision.
“Technology is a Tool, It Cannot Replace the Artist”
Also touching upon the topics of digitalization and artificial intelligence, Demiral said that technology is a tool that facilitates artistic production processes but cannot replace the artist. “Even if you use a tablet, it is fundamentally your hand that draws. If you lack knowledge of design and intellectual accumulation, technology alone is meaningless,” he said, noting that while artificial intelligence can produce new variations based on existing data, it cannot develop an original and foresighted artistic discourse.
New Exhibitions Coming
Devrim Demiral also shared his near-future plans in the program. The artist will have solo exhibitions in October at the Russian Art Gallery in Ankara and in December at the Istanbul Evrim Art Gallery, which also hosts the program. Demiral announced that in these exhibitions, he will present his new works to art lovers; works that are nourished by a “social realist” line but blend emotion and thought, which he calls “new romanticism.”
Advice to Young Artists: “Draw, Research, Find the Balance”
Addressing young artists at the end of the program, Demiral offered this advice: “Caricature and painting are tremendous fields that nourish each other. Caricature gives you sharpness in design, in the perspective on concepts, and in the sense of humor. This makes the deformation and plastic values in your painting more free and powerful. Read a lot, do research, don’t be afraid to criticize, and most importantly, pursue balance.”
