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Çelik deconstructs the modern self in exhibition
Titled “A Deconstruction; Metamorphosis,” the show features 15 oil-on-canvas and sketches the 24-year-old artist produced over a three-year period.
Çelik uses specially designed convex canvases that he produces himself in his paintings, which exemplify the general characteristics of his style. He has named this special canvas design “transformation” or “metamorphosis,” as in Franz Kafka's classic novel, whose protagonist, Gregor Samsa, has served as an indirect source of inspiration for Çelik's works.
Metamorphosis is the main theme of both the form and content of the show, Celik underlines in an interview with Today's Zaman. “This [metamorphosis] can be considered a spiritual deformation of the individual in modern times -- the loss of essence and spirituality,” he says.
Çelik's works are based on the relations between time, space and figures.
“I try to use the concept of alienation as a general attitude in my colors, styles and compositions. Contrast is also another element of alienation that I use quite often,” he notes, explaining that with a compositional structure that he calls “simultaneity in space” he uses an unseen corner of his canvas to create a whole composition.
Bright colors are another prominent element in his paintings. “Generally I work with a rich, colorful painting technique. This also points out the contrasts in my compositions. The bright colors contrast with the cold and toneless stares of the figures I paint. These are referring to the 'humane' attitude that should have existed. It is a direct criticism of the loss of humanity,” he stresses.
Çelik's figures are devoid of facial expressions and gestures in an effort to depict the “lifeless nature of the modern individual,” he says. “We are all aware that the distances between people have increased as the world began to shrink. Everybody is isolated. This has led to what we call the modern individual. [The modern individual] is a [human] body without any confrontations. What is the difference between that body and a chair? I believe there is no difference. I try to create this effect through depicting these figures just like objects,” Çelik explains. The texture and canvases he uses also support these effects, he adds.
The Adana-born Çelik is a graduate of İstanbul's prestigious Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, where he had the chance to study with such famous artists as Aydın Ayan and Ömer Uluç. Based on his experiences during his education and group exhibitions in various cities around Turkey he has taken part in, Çelik says people in Anatolia know as much about art as those in the elite art circles of İstanbul.
“A Deconstruction; Metamorphosis” runs through Sept. 25 at Gallery Artist Çukurcuma.
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