Ekrem Kahraman, who is often referred to by art lovers as “the dreamer of reality” or “the genius of colors,” is a truly exceptional painter who has succeeded in professionally blending contemporary Turkish art with tradition and reflecting this synthesis in his works. The Turkish painter, who is also known for his poetry, has written several books throughout his life, given numerous presentations at exhibitions, and been the subject of documentaries. Below, we will present more detailed information about Ekrem Kahraman’s life and works. Let’s take a closer look at Ekrem Kahraman, who holds a very important place in Turkish painting.
Ekrem Kahraman – Life and Works
Ekrem Kahraman was born in 1948 in Tarsus, the easternmost district of Mersin. In 1971, he successfully completed his education in the Painting Department of Istanbul Education Institute and graduated. After graduation, he worked as an art teacher in secondary education institutions for a while. In 1989, realizing his inner artistic spirit, he chose to dedicate himself fully to art and had to leave teaching. The works he created afterward clearly proved how right this decision was. He has written numerous theoretical articles, particularly on plastic arts. His writings have been published in prominent art magazines such as *Sanat Çevresi*, *Türkiye’de Sanat*, *Genç Sanat*, *Çekirdek Sanat*, *CEY Sanat*, *rh+ Sanat*, and *Artist*.
Since 2007, he has been publishing the magazine *Sanatçının Atölyesi* (The Artist’s Studio). In addition to his painting skills, Ekrem Kahraman also has a well-developed poetic side. He has published four poetry books titled *Sessiz Bir Aşkı Dillendirmek* (Voicing a Silent Love), *Rıhtım ve Ihlamur* (The Quay and the Linden), *Fısıltılar ve Çığlıklar* (Whispers and Screams), and *Aşk Olsun Hayat* (Let There Be Love, Life). Following these, he published a collection of selected poems under the same title, *Aşk Olsun Hayat*. Apart from these, he also has an essay book focusing on art and artists.
The artist has met art lovers through exhibitions both in Turkey and abroad. He has successfully exhibited his works in over 80 solo exhibitions. In addition to these, he has participated in many group exhibitions and numerous national and international art fairs. Through his works and artistic persona, he has won a total of 16 awards. Many books and articles have been published about his art, and he has always been regarded as a figure worthy of academic study in Turkish art. The depth in his works and the analytical foundation he created have played a major role in this recognition. His name and works have been featured in books and magazines such as *Sonsuz ve Çıplak* (Infinite and Naked), *Gerçek ve Düşlem Çaprazında Bir Doğa Şiirinin Anatomisi* (An Anatomy of a Poem of Nature Between Reality and Imagination), and *Düşlerin Çiftçisi* (The Farmer of Dreams).
To date, two documentary films have been made about the artist. These are *Hayalperest Bir Çiftçiyim Ben* (I Am a Dreamer Farmer), directed by Birsen Hatipoğlu and released in 2002, and *Kendimize Ait Ovalarda, Kendimize Ait Dağlarda* (In Our Own Plains, On Our Own Mountains), directed by Süreyya Ahıskalıoğlu and released in 2005. Both documentaries provide valuable insight into Ekrem Kahraman’s artistic personality and his approach to painting. The production of such works is also highly important for enabling younger generations to discover and appreciate such a valuable artist.
Our artist, who presents his artistic life through his paintings and his literary life through his poetry, is also interested in other branches of art. In this sense, he is recognized as a multidisciplinary artist. He has written various essays on music and has a deep interest in this field. Furthermore, he has worked on an epic poem of more than 800 pages and has been involved in several other forms of art. He believes that each branch of art offers a different kind of pleasure and has always tried to explore as many artistic fields as possible. Alongside these, his works often contain mythological, historical, philosophical, and art-historical details.
He has held around 80 solo exhibitions both in Turkey and abroad. In addition to his solo shows, he has participated in numerous group exhibitions and has always found a place for himself in national and international art fairs. Ekrem Kahraman, who has long been living in Istanbul, is also the subject of several published books, including *Sonsuz ve Çıplak* (Infinite and Naked), *Gerçek ve Düşlem Çaprazında Bir Doğa Şiirinin Anatomisi* (An Anatomy of a Poem of Nature Between Reality and Imagination), *Aradığın Yerlerde Değilim Artık* (I Am No Longer Where You Look For Me), and *Düşlerin Çiftçisi* (The Farmer of Dreams). The artist was at his most productive during the 1990s and early 2000s. During this period, he created many successful works and reached a wide audience with books published by prominent publishers. Some people know him as a poet, while others know him as a painter.
Honored with awards from institutions such as UNESCO and the International Association of Plastic Arts, he was also named Artist of the Year in 2016. Today, he continues his painting practice in his studio located in Beyoğlu, Istanbul. He also prefers to do most of his writing in his studio in Güneyli village in Gelibolu. Recognized not only in Turkey but also internationally, Ekrem Kahraman is today known as a poet, art and culture theorist, writer, and photographer.
The artist often describes himself as a “dreamer farmer” and says that he feels a deep connection to the air and the soil. In Ekrem Kahraman’s works, one can frequently find reflections and influences of philosophy, mythology, and ideology. Having conducted in-depth studies of art history, the painter approaches these within the framework of contemporary art theories. For this reason, he also has a great interest in specific contemporary art forms such as photography and video art.
In an interview, Ekrem Kahraman stated that he has been working for the past two years on an epic poem that has now reached 800 pages. In the same interview, he expressed his desire to engage with all forms of art and explore different modes of expression, as long as he has the time and energy. The artist has also created special illustrations for the covers of notable authors’ books.
In summary, our artist has always sought to master various fields and disciplines and aimed to present a unified body of work to art lovers. Looking back today, we can clearly see that Ekrem Kahraman, beyond his identity as a painter, has also made his mark as a poet, writer, art and culture theorist, photographer, and much more. He describes this multifaceted identity in his own words:
“I am essentially a dreamer farmer, and my paintings are my fields. I belong to the air and the earth more than anyone else. In the sky, I am the soil; on the earth, I am the rain. Perhaps if I hadn’t become a painter, I would have been a good farmer!” In essence, the artist expresses that he possesses and embraces an infinite realm of creativity. With his intellectual, theoretical, and ideological depth, he stands as an exemplary figure for all audiences.
Image: ekremkahraman.net
