Book by State Artist and Painter Devrim Erbil Introduced

The “Horizontal Depth” exhibition, which features works from all periods of Devrim Erbil, one of the famous names in Turkish Contemporary Painting, met with art lovers at the MAJİ Art Gallery in recent months and received great attention. Now, this unique exhibition has been immortalized in the art world as a book written by Prof. Dr. Uğur Batı. 

The launch of the book took place at the Titanic Luxury Collection Bodrum Hotel under the leadership of MAJİ Art Gallery owner Gaye Donay. The event, held with the contributions of Çiğdem Sabancı, one of the important collectors of the Turkish art world, was attended by prominent figures such as actor Tamer Levent, presenter and actress Seray Sever, Nilüfer Aladdinoğlu, Meri Maliki, Nezihe Kılıç, Sevgi İsfendiyaroğlu, Gaye Sökmen, Sevda Akgün, and Ahmet and Sevtap Dördüncü.

'PUBLISHING A BOOK IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE'

In her speech at the launch, MAJİ Art Gallery owner Gaye Donay stated that she has left behind the last 9 years she dedicated to art in her business life, saying; “I have realized 28 solo exhibitions, 86 television programs, 54 art seminars, many art workshops, and 11 international social responsibility projects. However, publishing a book is a completely different experience. We will embark on a journey beyond Devrim Erbil’s art, into his inner world. The book 'Horizontal Depth'. It shares with us not only Devrim Erbil’s works but also his perspective on art, the turning points he has experienced, and the difficulties he has faced in the creative process. Creating Devrim Erbil’s ‘Horizontal Depth’ book is a great source of pride for me. The book ‘Horizontal Depth,’ which brings to life the work of our state artist Devrim Erbil, who has left deep marks on the art world, through the pen of Prof. Dr. Uğur Batı, offers a deep journey into his inner world beyond his works. The book allows us to get to know him more closely as a human being, not just his perspective on art and his turning points,” she said.

In her speech, Çiğdem Sabancı began by reminding that the most precious legacy her late uncle, Sakıp Sabancı, left to the youth of the Sabancı family was to value art and the artist. “It is a great happiness for me to keep this legacy alive and fulfill its mission. What keeps a society together is not just the people living in that society, but the common values and principles of these people. Common principles and values are strengthened by our cultural background and are the elements that make us who we are. Values such as living with passion, taking ownership of one’s work with dedication, always seeking the best, loving people, nature, and the environment, being productive, and being able to express oneself well actually describe art and the artist,” she said.

Prof. Dr. Uğur Batı, who also gave a speech at the launch, said the following:

“We should be grateful for the existence of a profound painter in Turkey; Turkey is lucky to support Devrim Erbil. Erbil, who has works in various styles that we define with the expression ‘Horizontal Depth,’ stands out as a universal artist. There is no other painter in Turkey with such a comprehensive horizontal breadth, using techniques such as marquetry, batik, stained glass, carpets, and kilims. We created the book around this concept. We have written a study in which we examine the essence and words of Devrim Erbil, in the partnership of forms such as semiotics, rhetoric, literature, and philosophy. We hope it offers a beautiful reading experience.” 

Artist Devrim Erbil continued his speech with the following expressions:

“I dreamed of art spreading to every corner of Turkey and young people being more sensitive and elegant. I believe that art is the most important power that can prevent bad events in our country. I think that in international relations and hostility toward humanity, we can overcome these negatives by keeping the elegance and sensitivity of art at the forefront. I emphasized that art has expressed emotions and love from the past to the present; that is why I stated that art should be popularized. I taught these values to my students, and they did not disappoint me. I carried out this mission not only for myself but for the public and society. I aimed to build a more meaningful world with art.”

 Furthermore, stating that Uğur Batı’s worldview and approach to art influenced him, Erbil expressed that Gaye Donay founding a gallery to convey modernity, institutionalism, and quality was an important step for art. Stating that he has collected all his works in Bodrum and wants to gift a museum, he thanked everyone who helped him in this regard and wished for happy days full of art.

After the launch, artist Devrim Erbil signed the “Horizontal Depth” book. The book consists of 226 pages.