Update
September 27, 2002 |
New York Subway Walls
by Burhan DOGANÇAY
While
preparing an exhibition of his recent works, New York
Subway Walls, which will open at the Radio
House Gallery, 601 West 26 St. on October 3
(and run through November 9), Burhan Dogançay unexpectedly
had to undergo
multiple bypass surgery.
After
a one week stay at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital,
he is now recovering at home.The operation,
performed by Dr. Mehmet Oz, was a success, and with Dr.
Oz's permission, Dogançay hopes to be
able to attend the opening reception of his
exhibit. Dr. Oz himself and many of those who took care
of Dogançay during his hospital stay
are also expected to attend.
Born in Istanbul, Dogançay lived several years
in Paris where he studied law
and earned a doctorate in economics at the University
of Paris, while simultaneously
taking art courses at La Grande Chaumiere, before making
New
York his permanent home in 1962.
Dogançay
is known for a body of work that grew out of his fascination
with
urban walls, a theme he has consistently pursued throughout
his artistic
career.
For Dogançay urban walls have a special meaning:
they testify to the passage
of time, reflecting social, political and economic change
and bear witness
to the assault from the elements and the minds of people
who leave
their mark on them.
1967 was the first year in which New York subway walls
served as the subject
of his paintings. The series of recent works currently
on exhibit at the
Radio House Gallery are vivid renditions of New York subway
walls during
the renovation process currently underway and testify
not only to his
ongoing interest in New York's eternal metamorphosis,
but also to his
enduring fascination with urban walls throughout the world.
Dogançay's work has been exhibited worldwide and
is represented in over
50 major museum and corporate collections, including The
Museum of Modern
Art, New York, The Guggenheim Museum, New York, Musee
de la Ville
de Paris, The State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, Tokyo
Fuji Art Museum,
Museum of Greater Victoria, Canada.
His work is featured in several books, which are available
at major US book stores and amazon.com.. His
latest publication, Works on Paper (1951-2000),
is scheduled to be released by Hudson Hills Press in spring
2003.
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