On April 15, 2025, artist Muhsin Bilyap’s painting exhibition titled “Alaturka Reflections” met with art lovers. The exhibition will be open to visitors until May 6, 2025.
Curator Hülya Yazıcı, who delivered the opening speech of the exhibition, summarized the artist’s creative journey with the following words:
"Mr. Bilyap pursued an artistic path aligned with Western painting for many years. However, he later turned toward the culture and art of his own geography, and from there, he shaped what he describes as a school, even an art movement. He identifies himself as the founder of Alaturka painting, or what he calls 'alaturkism'."
Yazıcı emphasized that the exhibition features special works touching upon the historical identity of Istanbul, highlighting the artist’s paintings that depict cemeteries, houses, and vanishing neighborhoods.
“Alaturka” in the Artist’s Own Words
Taking the floor, artist Muhsin Bilyap described his alaturka approach as follows:
"I am the founder of alaturka painting — alaturkism — but I present it not as an artistic movement, rather as a way of thinking. The geography we live in, what we have lost — the Istanbul we have lost — these are the subjects of my paintings."
A Poetic Touch: The Story Behind “Karacaahmet Cemetery”
An anecdote shared by the artist about his work themed around Karacaahmet Cemetery revealed the poetic essence of the exhibition:
“In 1940, Hasan İzzettin Dinamo hid in Karacaahmet Cemetery to escape state oppression. He lived there for months and later recounted the experience in his book Karacaahmet Symphony. The painting you see behind me was born from that story.”
Painting as Intuition
Bilyap’s approach to painting is rooted in deep personal intuition:
“In my paintings, I don’t aim to witness my era or deliver a particular message. For me, painting is something that cannot be explained — only felt. My only goal is to bring people joy through art, the same way it brings joy to me.”
Exhibition Information
Bağımsız Sanat Gallery
Address: Ankara Cad. Hobyar Mah. No:3, Eminönü – Istanbul
Dates: April 15 – May 6, 2025
Curator: Hülya Yazıcı
Artist: Muhsin Bilyap
