AYHAN ALGUR, Turkey

I’ve always loved the history, archaeology, and mythology of ancient civilizations that once inhabited Turkey and its environs. As an artist, I wanted to feel in contact with this past. So I researched the splendid art produced by Persians, Byzantines, Arabs, Seljuks, and Ottomans. While I borrow figures from diverse sources, my paintings reflect a consistent style, having passed through my personal filter. I also enjoy exploring different mediums, like food coloring. While difficult to work with, I like its vintage effect. My paintings on fabric were inspired by the cloth icons created by the late Nasra Simmeshindi for eastern Turkey’s Syriac Christian churches. The use of bold black outlines reflects my earlier days as a cartoonist. As a history buff, my paintings evoke for me a glorious past.