Coplu

Coplu a self-taught artist, was born in Usak, Turkey, in 1958.   He is represented and his artistic creations are shown around the world by leading contemporary galleries.

He participated in his first art exhibition in Istanbul in 1984, followed by many solo exhibitions in Turkey and group exhibitions in Italy, Japan, France, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Spain, USA and Canada. His illustrations have been published in numerous magazines, newspapers, books and catalogues both in Turkey and across Europe. Since his first international recognition in 1989 with the Nasreddin Hodja International Cartoon Competition Special Talent Award, he has received 25 awards in national and international competitions, including second prize in a cartoon competition in Okhotsk – Japan.

He has been working on three-dimensional art as well and produced sculptures from the figures and scenes of his paintings. One of the largest sculptures, titled “Nature of Love-Warmth”, was permanently placed in Singapore Changi Airport’s recently launched Terminal 4.

As a self-taught artist, he has been exploring different forms of visual art and developed his own distinctive style of painting last 20 years. Lovingly an array of textures and layers of acrylic colour are harmoniously combined using brushes, palette knives and sponges, bringing to life what he feels within his heart.

The subjects of Coplu’s paintings are always directly linked to human relationships and the different environments they are connected to, mirroring the feelings, beliefs, thoughts, fears and experiences that we all encounter during our journey through life.

As Coplu would say with a contented smile on his face, “Life is Beautiful”, which radiates through his whimsical yet thought-provoking and often optimistic compositions that add a splash of positive colour to life, transcending cultural diversities and connecting with the audience.