Zaman Newspaper 23rd March 2005 Caption: Using traditional Turkish art forms such as ebru (marbling), hat (Ottoman calligraphy) and ornamentation as well as elements of Byzantine art, Yücel Dönmez aims to create a strong synthesis between Western and Eastern art. The reflection of Turkish the painting on Western waters Özge Yalın. Zaman-Istanbul Continuing work on his art in the city of Chicago in the United States since 1980, nowadays Yücel Dönmez has started to put his art on view in Istanbul. Introducing a new movement under the name of Deepism (Deep Art or the Art of Depth) to the art world, the artists works have been described by art critics as, “work that has been accepted into the world of contemporary art as Turkish art”. Mingling traditional Turkish art forms such as ebru (marbling), hat (Ottoman calligraphy) and süsleme (ornamentation) with certain elements of Byzantine art Dönmez aims to creat a synthesis between Eastern and Western art. Following his exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1987, critics had written of the original style that Dönmez had presented the world of contemporary art, with the origins of his work lying in traditional Ottoman arts. In actual fact, those who are aware of the ongoing struggle of artists such as Erol Akyavaş and many others to create an original synthesis, originating from traditional Turkish arts, will also know their difficulty in achieving recognition of Turkish art as a brand. This is where examples of Yücel Dönmez’’ art come in. Travelling to the United States, eager to prove that Turkish art could enter the global contemporary art scene, Yücel had from time to time, also staged exhibitions in Turkey. Successfully opening a channel within contemporary Turkish painting with the techniques he personally developed 19 years ago and which he uses in his work, Yücel Dönmez states that he sees his work not as a result of pure coincidence but a product of the many years of hard work he has put in for the birth of Turkish painting, and accumulated knowledge. During the summer of 2004, Dönmez worked for three months on his new paintings in his studio in Istanbul. At the end of this intense period of hard work, his work succeeded in winning critical acclaim from not only Turkish critics but also their American counterparts. Emphasising the importance for a painter to get a handle on his/her own country and the culture in which they exist in order to be able to be viewed as forming a synthesis between their culture and contemporary culture, Dönmez strives to present traditional Turksih art forms through a contemporary interpretation. It cannot be expected for an artist originating from the East to enter art history through the use of Western characteristics in his/her art. The artist can be influenced; however, he/she must also put forth their own individual perspective. Of the opinion that Turkey is a country full of artistic skill, Dönmez says, “In a country full of skilled painters, I am merely an artist who works systematically. I believe that not one, but tens of Picasso’’s will come out of Turkey in the future. All that is needed is for there to be greater recognition of art of painting, and for our visual artists to be given the support they need.” Yücel Dönmez’’ has been presented as an artist of Turkish origin in such encyclopaedias as, ‘Who is Who in American Art’’, “The Biographical Encyclopedia of American Painters, Sculptors & Engravers of the U.S.’’, ‘Art Diary International’’, ‘Devonport’’s Art Reference’’. He has appended his signature to many important exhibitions in the U.S. and appeared on a U.S. national television channel, WGN, following his 1987 exhibition at The Art Institute of Chicago, one of the three most important art museums in the U.S. He was given the title, ‘Chicago’’s Very Own’’ by the channel. This title was later given to Michael Jordan, for his achievements in the field of sport. It looks as though Dönmez’’ recent paintings will create at least as much of a sensation as his previous works of art. An exhibition of Yücel Dönmez’’ art is on show at the Antik Art Gallery until 30th March 2005. (Tel: 0212 224 7431)