Tracing the water: From The Bosphorus to The Great Steppe

Resembling ferries travelling between the shores of the Bosphorus, Ahmet Öğreten's works take us on a journey through the waters of memory. The watercolors from the Anatolia series immerse the viewer into a journey through the region and revive the views of the most ancient Ottoman settlements, monumental religious buildings of the XIII-XIV centuries, and the distinctive language of urban Turkish architecture. The softness and warmth in the color palette of these translucent works contrast with the bright, vibrant images of modern Istanbul, with its streets and harbor quays filled with tourists and locals, fishermen and merchants, sea sparkles and night lights. In a similar manner, Öğreten also created two watercolors dedicated to Astana.

Among other works, the ‘Our Roots’ series stands out, dedicated to the heritage of Central Asian nomadic culture and ancient Turkic traditions. The compositions are constructed like quilted patchwork, with bright splashes of color and ornamentation alongside steppe landscapes
and portraits of nomads. Wandering through historical eras, the artist attempts to comprehend his identity and restore the connection between the traditions of the past and the modern day.

Ahmet Öğreten (born 1965, Antalya) is a Turkish artist. At the beginning of his creative career, he studied painting under artists Yashar Çalla and Hüseyin Özdemir. He graduated from Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts. Already a professional painter, he established workshops and taught in many cities in Turkey. He is skilled in the traditional Eastern painting technique of ebru. He has participated in solo and group exhibitions, fairs and festivals. Currently lives
 and works in Istanbul