Artist Interview: Aykut Gurcaglar
Interview By: Mayra Gaustein
Aykut Gurcaglar is a retired professor of art history who now spends his days creating visual art, with a creative focus on depicting cities; his art captures the history behind urban landscapes. He often combines watercolor with sketching techniques to create modern, yet soft, works of art. Before moving to Canada in 2014, he taught at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in Istanbul. Currently, some of his works are displayed at Hittite Gallery in Toronto where he curated the exhibition “Mini Moderns from Turkey” in 2017. It was a pleasure to interview Aykut Guracaglar and learn more about his art, inspiration, and immigration story; I thank him for his thoughtful answers.
AADN: Your art captures modern urban landscapes. What inspires you to make this type of art?
Aykut: As an artist painting urban landscapes, I find inspiration in the metropolitan city life in which I was b
orn and raised. I love painting buildings and people which together make a magical amalgamation of urban culture.
AADN:Has your Turkish background impacted your art? If so, how?
Aykut: I am from Istanbul which is a European metropolitan center. I believe the city in which I was born has had an impact on my art to a certain degree. Istanbul is a melting pot of diverse cultures that each carry their own architectural traditions. Having been raised and lived in the city for most of my life I developed an interest in how these traditions clash and coexist.
AADN: How did immigrating to Toronto in 2014 change your art?
Aykut: My relocation to Canada has had no serious impact on my art but was rather the beginning of my career as an artist. Creating art has been a hobby until my move to Canada. Prior to my move to Canada, I worked as a university professor in the field of art history.
AADN:And how has your experience as an art history professor shaped your view of art?
Aykut: Well, it really shaped my art because I spent most of my educational and academic life in pursuit of art and artistic research. As I was a professor of art history I spent most of my career teaching and researching. As the university I taught at is a Fine Arts Academy I have close contact with the artists and their studios which also added to my artistic career.
AADN:In one of your works of art, a streetcar in what looks to be a busy Downtown Toronto area is featured. Do you have a favourite area of the city to take inspiration from?
Aykut: First and foremost my neighborhood is one of my major inspirations. The neighborhoods surrounding the downtown core as well as Toronto Islands can be included among others.
AADN:What are some of the challenges and strengths of being an immigrant artist?
Aykut: I have never been an immigrant until my relocation to Canada. The cultural and artistic environment of my hometown Istanbul is that I am aware of and familiar with which includes friends and networks. Toronto is a totally new realm for me and I am yet to be completely familiar with its artistic environment.
Editor: Ezel Urul
