“They slipped briskly into an intimacy from which they never recovered”.
(F. Scott Fitzgerald)
“Intimacy is that which is connected to a singular or jealously guarded sphere or relationship, something found in the innermost and deepest part of our being. For Pinar Ture Gursoy, a contemporary artist from Istanbul, on the other hand, intimacy becomes something to be expressed and told, something that is strongly intertwined with her artistic production. Her works consist mainly of portraits, where emotions are so dense that they extend beyond the canvas, completely enveloping the observer. Particularly influenced by the expressionist movement of the first two decades of the 20th century, as well as by local culture, the artist manages to transfer the subject’s emotions onto her canvases, imbuing them with pure intimacy. The colors, often earthy, communicate instability and unease, while the dynamic brushstrokes and the raw feeling that emerges from her works contribute to making the vision even more immersive, conveying contrasting feelings of unease.
.
Her subjects are often depicted in moments of solitude and isolation, looking absent or pensive (“On The Armchair with White Cat”), or shrouded in darkness (“Arrogant”). Although tied to a figurative style, Pinar Ture Gursoy does not want a faithful depiction of reality; on the contrary, she uses to deform the subjects of her paintings (“Melancholic”), also exploiting the language of bodies to make the visual experience even more intense. The protagonist of her canvases is always intimacy, that moment of profound inner solitude in which anxieties and discomfort expand in space, occupying it entirely. Pinar Ture Gursoy wants to lead the viewer into this space, prompting him to accept the darkness that can lurk within each of us“.
*Written by Art Curator Francesca Brunello FRA Art & Communication / Art Consultancy
From where do I feed artistically in general? First of all, the roots of my art germinate in the rich soil of the past; nourished by the depths of my Hellenic, Macedonian, and Persian heritage, blended with the splendor of the Ottoman era and the dynamism of the Republic. This profound history breathes in every stroke of my brush.
The undulations of today’s world, especially the changing roles and faces of women, find new hues on my canvas. I capture the secrets of the universe in women’s eyes, the traces of time in facial lines, and the rhythm of life in bodily movements. Each portrait transforms into a symphony of emotions; every color tells a story.
The exotic charm of foreign lands, the silent corridors of museums, the mysterious whispers of archaeological sites, Ancient artifacts, statues, and architectural marvels nourish my soul. My brush creates its own harmony on the canvas.
My art is a journey from the depths of the past to the pulse of the present, from personal experiences to universal truths. At the tip of my brush, history and present, tradition and innovation, personal and universal meet and dance.
This artistic narrative aims to reflect my own deep and multifaceted sources of inspiration in a more poetic and imaginative language. It encapsulates the essence of my artistic vision, blending my rich cultural heritage with contemporary themes, all expressed through the prism of feminine experience and emotion.
2. Tell us about your artwork or series you are currently working on.
In this my compelling artwork, I present as the artist a nuanced exploration of solitude and introspection through a masterful use of color and form. The oil painting, dominated by warm yellow and orange hues, immediately draws the viewer into a contemplative space.
The central figure, rendered in simplified yet evocative strokes, occupies a chair that seems to both embrace and isolate. This duality speaks to the complex nature of solitude – at once comforting and alienating. The figure’s pose, with head resting on hand, echoes classic representations of melancholy, yet I infuse it with a contemporary sensibility through the abstracted background and bold color choices.
Particularly noteworthy is the tension between the figure and its environment. The warm tones unify the composition, yet there’s a subtle disconnect between the subject and their surroundings, emphasized by the loose, gestural brushwork of the background contrasting with the more defined lines of the figure.
Up to my technique demonstrates a confident balance between representation and abstraction. This approach allows the emotional core of the piece to resonate without being overshadowed by excessive detail, inviting viewers to project their own experiences onto the scene.
In the context of contemporary figurative art, this artwork stands out for its emotive power and technical restraint. It engages with timeless themes of isolation and self-reflection, while its stylistic choices firmly root it in the present moment.
And I think this painting would be a valuable addition to any collection focusing on contemporary explorations of the human condition, particularly those examining the nuances of solitude in our increasingly connected yet often isolating modern world.
Pinar Ture Gursoy is a portrait, figurative & abstract figurative painter and amateur photographer who was born in 1965 in Istanbul.
She completed her higher education in “Urban and Regional Planning” in Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul.
Married in 1989 and had two daughters.
Between 2010 and 2014, she got back to university and graduated from BA in “Philosophy” from Anadolu University with distinction.
While studying philosophy, she was also living and resided on and off at Île Saint Louis and Vavin in Paris and participating to workshops at the “Académie de la Grande Chaumière” in Vavin/ Paris.
During 2015-2018, in this time she lived and resided on and off at City of London in London. In this period she graduated from MSc in Museum Management from “Istanbul University”.
Throughout her own career, particularly initially she developed a passion for the Atelier Movement, at various established artist studios.
Embracing her foundation in traditional techniques, she attended workshops at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris.
She aim to maintain her unique visual language mixing autobiographical material with inspirations from Greek & Ottoman iconography.
She has been many Group and Solo exhibiting and auctions in various Turkish cities and also abroad in Tokyo, Lucern, Zurich, Deventer, Venice, Napoli, Milan, Marakkesh, Thessaloniki, Tiran, London, Fuerteventura, Tolentino, Pennsylvania, New York, Santiago etc…
Some of her works are included in the collection of TEV(Turkish Education Foundation) and Portart by Hakan Körpi/ UPSD, Museum of Tolentino in Italy for Biennial BIUMOR etc.
She currently lives and works in her own atelier/ homestudio in Istanbul.
Pinar Ture Gursoy