|
Leyla
Candan: Lost in Art
Interviewed
by Berkem DINÇMAN
Born
in Istanbul in 1947, Leyla Candan settled in Bodrum, in
order to give herself to her art studies. Graduated from
the workshop of Ayla Eris, Faculty of Fine Arts, University
of Mugla, Leyla conducts lessons in art history and gives
classes on painting in the cultural center of the Bodrum
Municipality, the Bazaar. At the same time she manages
the "Yosun" Art Gallery in Yalikavak.
In
her paintings, she likes to motivate visual and intellectual
sensations likewise by mixing "real" object
with imaginary places. "My dreams are the source
of Inspiration, because of, maybe that I'm in the sign
of Pisces, my dreams are endless." she adds. Forming
her works from her dreams, the irreplaceable reflections
of her life, she adds real objects to her paintings, in
order to make up for the hearts of her spectators.
_
What
gets you started with a painting?
_ Well, I'm still inspired most of the time by my
long lasting sea voyages that I had between 1967-77. Blue
oceans stretching till infinity made me always feel some
magic. Mythological stories add up to this notion of past
time. These kinds of emotions make me start a new painting.
_You
mentioned mythology, how do you describe it?
_ "The colors of the sun and turquoise, hmm"
difficult to tell.
_
Maybe these stars and leopards that are hiding in your
paintings?
_ Yes, I'm using them as well to enrich the historical
scenery.
_
Let's
flip to your lessons of art history that you are teaching
in the Bazaar. Can you point out the most important highlights
of the last century in art?
_ East
met West and West met East. Ordinary people started to
exchange their culture with other nations people. For
instance, Picasso went to Africa, meeting the African
Art. Likewise, Gauguin met the Tahitian; Klimt investigated
on Eastern and Turkish miniatures. These contacts had
their spin-offs in the respective arts. Likewise, modern
Turkish art began to form in the early 1900s with the
influence of Turkish artist, who joined the artistic communities
in Paris. Perspective views in drawings start in Europe
early as 1200, whereas in Turkey these date around 1870-1880.
This is much due to religious pressures that kept artist
from expressing themselves freely. Generally speaking,
the 20thcentury accelerated the evolution of
modern painting techniques.
1. Gelincikler
73X92 - 2. Figur
70X100
_
What about the impressionist movement?
_ In 1874, Paris NADAR gallery hosts an exhibition
by Monet, Renoir, Pissaro and Sisley. One of the paintings
goes by the name Impressions on the Sun dawning.
Critics don't let this outrageous title go, they heavily
criticize it, causing a lot amusement for a long time.
This term finally settles as the dawning of a new approach
to art.
_
How
do you like to work?
_ I'm more productive when I'm alone. Once a week, we
meet with friends in a workshop. We discuss painting techniques
and work together, which induces a lot of inspiration.
Twice a week, I give classes on drawing and the history
of fine arts. These classes cause me to investigate and
delve into the subjects, till to the point, where I feel
"lost in art." By the way, even if I work alone,
this doesn't mean I'm not incorporating wishes and dreams
of others into my paintings.
Tripting
Sualti 180 X 200
_
You
are drawing a lot of beauties, where do these come from?
_ They are the princesses, the goddesses, the immortals
taking their energy of life from the legends, the tales
and the infinity, which I want to capture.
_
What
are your favorite painting techniques?
_ Ornamental collections are my favorite starting
point for paintings. I start the painting in my imagination
first. Secondly, I draw it on the canvas. This induces
each time a lot of emotional stuff. Clearly can I separate
my enthusiasm from the turbulences of the outside world
and embody it into my paintings.
The
most interesting thing about art is that it never stops
evolving. Even if the painting is finished and exposed
to the public, through the interaction with the visitors
and their imaginations and feelings, it continues to grow
into an unknown phenomenon. Artists use fine arts express
themselves, their society and the ongoing change that
the world is undertaking. Tools and techniques to achieve
this may vary.
Paintings
of Leyla Candan are sold all over the world including
in America, Germany, Netherlands, France and Great Britain.
Collectors from Turkey highly appreciate her works,
which in return, spurs her willingness and motivation
for more creative production.
http://www.leylacandan.com
E-mail to: leylacandan@superonline.com
|
