Instragram: @robert.combas

Robert Combas: Provocateur of Pop Culture

Born amidst the vibrant hues of Lyon in 1957, Robert Combas emerged as a luminary in the Parisian art scene, igniting a revolution in the early ’80s with his audacious strokes and boundless creativity. Hailing from Sète, Combas’s upbringing infused his art with a raw, unapologetic energy that would come to define his oeuvre.

In the crucible of artistic expression, Combas, alongside kindred spirits Remi Blanchard, François Boisrond, and Hervé Di Rosa, forged the seminal movement of “Free Figuration.” This artistic manifesto, pulsating with vitality, breathed new life into the static confines of contemporary art, ushering in an era of uninhibited expressionism.

At the heart of Combas’s canvases beats the rhythm of freedom, an anthem to the human condition in all its complexities. His brush dances across the canvas, narrating tales of society’s underbelly—its violence, its sensuality, its aspirations, and its struggles. Influenced by the pulsating beats of rock music and the kaleidoscopic imagery of pop culture, Combas’s art becomes a mirror reflecting the collective consciousness of an era.

With an unyielding spirit, Combas dares to challenge the status quo, infusing his compositions with a potent cocktail of historical allusions, mythological motifs, and everyday vignettes. Like a modern-day alchemist, he transmutes the mundane into the extraordinary, imbuing his works with a primal energy that captivates and confronts.

In 2010, the esteemed Lacan collection bore witness to the acquisition of Combas’s seminal works, a testament to his enduring impact on the artistic landscape. Not content to confine his genius to the confines of canvas, Combas delved into the realm of printmaking, crafting a series of prints that echoed the irreverence of his paintings.

The zenith of Combas’s career was marked by the monumental retrospective at the MAC Lyon in 2012, a celebration of his unrivaled contribution to contemporary art. Since then, his star has continued to ascend, illuminating galleries and museums across the globe with his indomitable spirit and unbridled creativity.

As Robert Combas continues to push the boundaries of artistic expression, his legacy remains etched in the annals of art history—a testament to the transformative power of one man’s vision to reshape the world around him.

Born in 1937 in Uşak, Turkey, Devrim Erbil emerged as one of the most influential figures in Turkish contemporary art, leaving an indelible mark on the canvas of the art world. His artistic odyssey commenced in 1955 when he enrolled in the Painting Department of the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts. Under the tutelage of Halil Dikmen in galleries and Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu in studios, Erbil honed his craft, absorbing the rich cultural heritage that would later infuse his work.

In 1959, Erbil founded the Abstract 7 group, signaling his departure from conventional artistic norms and his embrace of innovative approaches to art. He continued to push boundaries, graduating from the Istanbul Academy’s Advanced Painting Department and assuming the role of assistant professor in 1962. Erbil’s journey of artistic exploration took him beyond the confines of Turkey; in 1965, he embarked on a scholarly voyage to Madrid and Barcelona, followed by immersive experiences in Paris and London, sponsored by an art scholarship from the Spanish government.

Throughout his illustrious career, Erbil held numerous prestigious positions, including the presidency of the Contemporary Painters Association of Turkey in 1969 and directorship of the Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture in 1979. He ascended to the rank of professor at the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts in 1981 and assumed leadership roles in various academic institutions, including the Chair of the Painting Department at Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts and the Yıldız Technical University’s Faculty of Fine Arts.

Erbil’s artistic prowess garnered international acclaim, with his works featured in exhibitions across the globe, from Alexandria to Belgrade, from Sofia to Kuwait. His contributions to Turkish art extend beyond his own creations; Erbil dedicated himself to promoting Turkish art through curated exhibitions and academic lectures.

A recipient of numerous accolades, including the Sedat Simavi Visual Arts Award in 2000 and the Atatürk Republic Award in 1973, Erbil’s artistic legacy continues to inspire generations of artists worldwide. His paintings, housed in esteemed museums and private collections both domestically and abroad, serve as a testament to his enduring impact on the world of art.

Erbil’s journey is one of perpetual reinvention, a relentless quest to capture the essence of beauty and truth through the transformative power of color and form. His paintings resonate with a profound sense of introspection, inviting viewers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and contemplation.

Istanbul Galata and Birds - Devrim Erbil

Red Istanbul - Devrim Erbil

Istanbul Galata Halic - by Devrim Erbil

Variations on living in an Anatolain Town - 1937 - Devrim Erbil

Variations on Passion for Trees - 1966 - Devrim Erbil

Location: Tehran, Iran

Education: Diploma in Visual Art, Associate of Visual Art

Maryam Namdar, a vibrant artist hailing from the bustling city of Tehran, Iran, finds her muse in the rich tapestry of Persian culture and the dynamic spirit of her surroundings. With a solid educational foundation including a Diploma in Visual Art and an Associate degree in the same field, Namdar possesses both technical prowess and a keen artistic sensibility.

Her journey as an artist is marked by a series of captivating experiences. Namdar has been an active participant in numerous group exhibitions, where her work has captivated audiences with its depth and originality. Through her art, she weaves narratives that speak to the complexities of life, drawing inspiration from her cultural heritage and personal experiences.

Not content with merely showcasing her art, Namdar takes charge of her artistic destiny by independently selling her creations. This entrepreneurial spirit not only demonstrates her dedication to her craft but also her determination to share her vision with the world on her own terms.

In her work, Namdar invites viewers to explore the intersection of tradition and modernity, inviting them on a journey of introspection and discovery. With each brushstroke, she creates a dialogue between the past and the present, inviting us to ponder the timeless themes that unite us all.

Maryam Namdar’s art is a testament to the power of creativity to transcend boundaries and connect us across cultures and continents. As she continues to evolve as an artist, her work promises to inspire and provoke, inviting us to see the world through a new lens.

Instagram: @denizsay_art

My paintings are actually expressionist manipulation of earthly materials…

What excites me is to transform ordinary materials into extraordinary and evocative works of art…

Because objects, like people, have memories, they are talented, in fact, they’re more valuable than they seem, each contains sociological clues.

They’ve a common perception in our minds; but what if they’re placed in a work of art in such a way as to distort that perception? If they appear in front of a viewer with a different identity, wouldn’t they induce him/her to think?

But what if these objects are actually “waste” materials?

I’ve always looked at the objects we call waste from a different perspective. For me, they were objects waiting to be part of life again, looking forward to be the beginning of a new story, rather than waste.

This meant that time has come for many materials that I’ve collected since my childhood and couldn’t throw away to be part of life…

The moment I see the waste materials that I come across in one way or another in my daily life, which inspire me, I ask them, “How about setting sail for a new life? First you’ll find your place in an artistic composition, then you’ll be blended with layers of paint, you’ll be watched and changed many times in order for you to be in harmony with the basic elements of a painting such as color, shape, texture, and eventually you’ll take your place on an art lover’s wall as part of the work, what do you think?”  The materials used in all the paintings you see here seem to have accepted my offer…Then lucky me…

Besides all this, there’s also an aspect that I feel sorry for…

Every day we throw away many materials that haven’t completed their useful life.  As we all know, one of the biggest problems in the world today is sustainability.  We consume everything very quickly, we produce more garbage every day that the world can no longer handle. So what are we doing to prevent this? Surely, each of us has work to do on this matter. In this sense, even if it’s a small contribution, I “upcycle” the objects to be thrown away and include them in an artistic environment, thus I’m trying to prove how beautiful and useful they’re…

When I feel that I’ve achieved this, I proceed on my way with the happiness of fulfilling my duty…