The 76th episode of the “Evolution of Art” program, prepared in cooperation with Evrim Art and Mikado Communication, featured multifaceted artist Ufuk Yanık as its guest. Hosted by Günsu Saraçoğlu, Yanık sincerely shared the inspiring details of his artistic journey, which began after the age of 41, and his interdisciplinary work in the program.

Speaking at the opening of the program, host Günsu Saraçoğlu greeted the viewers by saying, “We have a very valuable guest with us today. Our guest is Ufuk Yanık. We will have a wonderful conversation today. Please join us.”

“It’s Never Too Late for Anything”

Stating that he stepped into the art world after the age of 41, Ufuk Yanık said, “I lived a normal life until I was 41. I had a certain job. I went to that job, took care of my children, my social life, and so on.” Yanık described his transformation story, which began with his passion for chess, with these words: “I loved chess very much. After I turned 41, I wanted to get a coaching certificate for it too. I applied to the federation, took the exams, and got my chess coaching certificate.”

Yanık expressed that this process was followed by theatre training and improvisational theatre work, adding, “I received improvisational acting training from the ‘Mahşeri Cümbüş’ group and we performed 242 stages with a group.”

Painting and Academic Education

Stating that he had been interested in painting since his childhood, Yanık decided to get an academic education after his amateur painting studies received positive criticism. Yanık, who started the Painting Department at Istanbul Topkapı University Faculty of Fine Arts in 2021, said, “When you start after a certain age, I didn’t have career concerns like my young friends. I’m just doing it because I love it. This is like a chance to catch up and replace the opportunities I missed.”

Interdisciplinary Interaction

Referring to the contributions of theatre, improvisation, and chess to his painting practice, Ufuk Yanık said, “Theatre allows me to be much more comfortable while building a composition. Improvisation teaches practical thinking and story-building.” He stated that he sees chess more as a metaphor for life rather than a strategy game, using the expressions: “Chess actually describes the life one should truly live. Waiting, patience, strategy, taking risks, respect… It has it all.”

The Theme of Movement and Transformation in His Works

Emphasizing that he keeps the theme of movement at the forefront in his works, Yanık said, “There is constant movement. This isn’t just about living beings. There is motion in everything in nature. I want to emphasize this movement.” Also sharing his passion for transforming waste materials into works of art, Yanık described his series titled “Transformation of Emotions,” in which he transformed waste tables and armchairs into artworks as his graduation project.

Future Plans

Stating that he plans to pursue a master’s degree after graduation, Ufuk Yanık concluded his words by saying, “There is no obstacle in front of me. I could go as far as a proficiency in art. I’m not setting goals, I’m living the process. I want to go wherever the process takes me.”