In the art world, the master–apprentice relationship is not merely about the transmission of technique; it is also about trust, inspiration, and companionship. Batıkan Bostancı’s first solo exhibition at Artopol Art Gallery, “Direction in the Dead End, Form in the Impasse”, following seven years of working alongside İrfan Önürmen, reveals how this relationship continues to thrive in contemporary practice.
Inspiration and Independence
In Bostancı’s work, one can sense traces of Önürmen’s layered, transparent material use and his transitions between figuration and abstraction. Yet these similarities are not imitation; they are the natural imprints of inspiration. The apprentice transforms the techniques learned from the master into his own personal narrative, achieving independence. What emerges is a chain of continuity: experience inherited from the past, reborn into the originality of the present.
Historical Background
Workshop culture defined the Renaissance era, where artistic production unfolded in the studios of masters with their apprentices. Apprentices learned their masters’ techniques, from preparing pigments to drawing figures, participating in every stage of creation. Often, the works produced by apprentices were attributed to the master’s name. This was not only a learning process but also a tradition that ensured the continuity of art.
Inspiration and Interaction
Within this axis of relationship, inspiration and interaction are integral parts of the natural process. Artists begin by adopting their masters’ style, but over time they establish their own unique language. A theme used by one artist may be reinterpreted by another in a different context. For example, mythological figures appear both in classical sculpture and in contemporary digital art, each time transformed. Inspiration is not only individual but also the transmission of cultural heritage. Traditional motifs are reimagined by contemporary artists, gaining a renewed and modern voice.
Contemporary Reflections of the Master–Apprentice Bond
Önürmen’s direct involvement in Bostancı’s exhibition preparation was not merely technical support but also an act of spiritual guidance. From studio visits to the installation process, this support allowed the apprentice to carry the spatial awareness learned from his master into his own exhibition, while gaining new perspectives through the master’s observations and suggestions. At the exhibition opening, Önürmen’s presence as a master created a space of confidence for Bostancı, easing his visibility and acceptance in the art world. In this sense, Önürmen’s presence is not only that of a guide but also a powerful testimony that the master–apprentice relationship remains a living bridge today.
The Master–Apprentice Relationship Today
In the modern art world, the master–apprentice relationship continues more often through mentorship and academic education. Inspiration and technical similarities form a chain of continuity. Every artist carries traces of those who came before; yet these traces are reborn in new contexts. Inspiration is not imitation—it is the soil in which creativity takes root.
