Introduction
Istanbul artist Bahar Artan Oskay carefully detaches elements of her existing paintings in order to reposition them in space, elevating them above the original image. As a result, three-dimensional works are created. On one hand, they challenge the conventional form of pictorial representation, and on the other hand, they evolve into a new form of abstract expression. The extruded elements cast subtle shadows on the underlying layer of the piece, resulting in a complex display of presence, absence, as well as the relationship between past and present. The colors and patterns of the interacting elements and pictorial planes are loosely reminiscent of the artistic languages of Matisse, Picasso, and Mondrian, from whom the artist draws her inspiration.
In earlier stages of her creative journey, Oskay engaged with these masters of modern art and reinterpreted their styles within the context of her compositions. Picasso's statement about the act of creation, which is first an act of destruction, can be interpreted as the central theme of her art. The artist describes the process of cutting, destroying, and reconstructing as a painful, yet necessary step towards a new form of expression and aesthetics. Conventional order is called into question by deliberate deconstruction. It remains the responsibility of the viewer to interpret the work, which was simultaneously dismantled and restored, and to fill the empty spaces with his or her own thoughts, associations, and reflections.
In 2011, Oskay, who was born in Istanbul in 1984, graduated with a master's degree in fine arts from Yeditepe University. She then furthered her knowledge in the field of art and design at Yıldız Technical University. She showcased her works at solo exhibitions in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and New York. She also participated in several international group exhibitions in Turkey, Europe, and North America.
