Biography
Gültekin Bilge (pronounced Beelgay) is a Turkish Cypriot Artist, born in Cyprus, 1945. He received his M.A. from the Istanbul Academy of Fine Arts where he studied under Devrim Erbil and Ali Çelebi before graduating from the atelier of Dinçer Erimez.
Since moving to the UK in 2011 his work has been exhibited internationally throughout Europe and in the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan. During this period he has also received many awards. His works are held in private collections in Turkey, Europe and Japan.
Bilge’s journey through life has not been easy. He was unable to paint for many years after losing the use of his right hand when he was shot in the 1974 Cyprus War. The injury led to a dark period in his life, full of anger, pain, frustration, powerlessness, isolation and loss of identity. These emotions find full expression in his abstract artworks, which have a haunting emotional quality.
Artist Statement
The mother thought or central concept of my work is concealment. My artworks point towards what is hidden and question why this happens.
Nobody can know all that is inside another person. I see that human beings hide or partially mask their thoughts, feelings and motivations, even in many cases from themself. I observe that human relationships are not open and there are many hidden agendas in personal, social and political life.
I came to understand this psychology by watching the decisions, behaviours and actions of individual people around me and observing the political decisions and actions of nation states.
When I look to nature, all my life I could see expressive faces hidden in the trees, rocks, stones, pebbles, waterfalls, rivers and clouds. My idea is that faces hidden in nature are a metaphor for the way humans hide their thoughts, feelings and motivations.
Latest news From Gültekin | Click here to visit the blog
01Feb
Welcome to my Art Blog
0 CommentsWELCOME and thanks for visiting my art blog. I post on this blog about my latest artworks, exhibitions and events. Latest News is on the sidebar --> -->
Read More28Dec
Raffaello Sanzio Award 2014
0 CommentsI was very honoured to be invited to Lecce to receive the Raffaello Sanzio Award for artistic merit. The award is presented by "Italia In Arte". They make this award in recognition…
Read More05Dec
Critical Analysis of Gültekin Bilge : Christopher Rosewood, Art Critic, ICAC
0 CommentsI was very pleased to receive a copy of this critical analysis of my art. It was produced by the Chianciano Art Museum and written by the Art Critic Christopher…
Read More08Mar
Sandro Botticelli Prize 2015
1 CommentI was selected to receive the Sandro Botticelli Prize in March 2015. My artwork THREE GRACES (2014) was published in the catalogue. This work is my contemporary interpretation of the three…
Read More28Feb
BEAUTIFUL VISIONS
0 CommentsThree of my carved wood artworks are published in this Art Magazine. “Beautiful visions, which illustrates the distinct personality of the artist Gultekin Bilge which, thanks to its individuality of…
Read More30Jan
London Art Biennale 2015
0 CommentsI was very pleased to receive 1st Prize for Applied Art at London Biennale 2015. It took place in Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Road, London.…
Read More27Jan
Effetto Arte 25 Stars Collectors Edition
0 CommentsThree of my artworks are published in Effetto Arte's 25 Stars Collector's Edition. "Bilge is a master who has been able to elaborate his own alphabet, with which he tells…
Read More20Dec
SNBA Annual Exposition 2014, Carrousel Du Louvre
0 CommentsThe SNBA Annual Exposition 2014 took place on 11th - 14th December in the Carrousel Du Louvre. I exhibited as part of the Italian Delegation, curated by Emotions Of The…
Read More27Nov
An Extraordinary Ability to Manage Colour
0 CommentsThree of my paintings are published in this new Italian Art Magazine. "The paintings of Gültekin Bilge are almost obsessive... This makes the characteristic of his work. The Artist draws…
Read More28Oct
Synchronies, Madrid
0 CommentsI enjoyed taking part in "Synchronies" in the beautiful Ateneo de Madrid in October 2014. This international exhibition was curated and organised by Paola Trevisan and Rosa Mascarell. I exhibited two artworks…
Read More20Sep
Effetto Arte – A Portrait for Great Art’s Masters
0 CommentsI was very pleased that my painting DESIRE was on the cover of Effetto Arte Anno 4 Numero 5 2014. DESIRE (2012) When I made this painting I was thinking…
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