https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtEu0yL8GyQ
Here's my interview with Teresa Carante, rewarded director (best director California Film Award). It is a documentary for my Archibald prize entry. I hope you enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ReU6wL8218
Announcing the Winners of the 2015 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize and Moran Contemporary Photographic Prizes at Juniper Hall, Sydney on Wednesday 28 October 2015.
Mertim Gokalp; The whole crew with Edmund Capon 'Moran Prize"
Mertim Gokalp 2015 Moran Prize Finalist
http://www.moranprizes.com.au/gallery/portrait
Descendants Project in Canberra
Descendants Project by Mertim Gokalp seeks to ignite curiosity about who we are as a person in relation to our past. Descendants is a personal identity journey,commemorating Anzac History, honorung the past and celebrating our future by exploring reflections of a 100 year old war on the generations of the present
It was nice to meet with Lieutenant General Angus J. Campbell and Air Commodore Alan Clements
The Sacrifice of the Model (Trailer) by Mertim Gokalp
Check out my trailer for this year's Archibald Prize entry: The Sacrifice of the Model by Mertim Gokalp. The Sacrifice of the Model is a contemporary take on a 17th century painting for the highly renowned Archibald Prize. The painting, is a reconstruction of Caravaggio’s The Entombment of Christ composition, you may remember the painting from the tattoo on my left arm. However, my version is not just a replica or a copy, it is a referral to today’s art-scene and a criticism of all the artists, including myself, on how much is sacrificed…
The model used in The Sacrifice of the Model, Aimee Fitzgerald, being held/worshiped by a bunch of renowned, Archibald Award finalist artists Nick Stratopoulos, Marcus Callum, Kathrin Longhurst and Lucy West-Sooby. While some artists fear the death of the model in the composition, one is only concerned with her modern day narcissism. The true figure with true sadness is the mother, or from a Caravaggio-point-of-view Virgin/Holy Mary, embodied by my wife, perhaps because she knows true sacrifice and the true price/worth for the arts.
I invite you to look behind the canvas, to think about all the models, artists, artist’s wives, all who sacrificed sometimes an ear [Van Gogh], vision [Monet], or the ability to hear [Beethoven] for the sake of art and recognition. Clearly, art is dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty, beyond what can be valued, rich or rare, no less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour*...
*Section taken from Shakespeare’s King Lear
The Sacrifice of the Model by Mertim Gokalp Archibald Prize 2015
The Sacrifice of the Model by Mertim Gokalp (Documentary) Directed by Teresa Carante
The documentary is about artist Mertim Gokalp's art performance and directed by award winner director (California film award best director ) TERESA CARANTE
The Descendants Project on ABC News
Always say ; I am a shy man, they want me to talk at the #AGNSW; I always say ; I am a shy man, they ask for me to deliver my own opening speech; I keep saying I am shy, they put me on National TV! I had an interview with Miriam Corowa today about my #TheDescendantsProject, if you're curious tune into ABC Weekend Breakfast on Sunday...
The Descendants Project
The exhibition was launched on the 10th of April. Thank you for all the visitors. With your existence, it turned out to be a great night! The exhibtion can be seen until 3rd of May
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I am pleased to announce that my painting of Simon Burke has been short listed for the second round for the BP Award. It's on its way to National Portrait Gallery, London......Simon Burke , National Portrait Gallery
Project[504] Opening party , mertim gokalp
St Leonards art scene will come alive as Project [504] launches.
Project [504] is an experimental, co-operative art initiative in the heart of St Leonards showcasing an eclectic mix of well-known and emerging Australian artists; including regular finalists in the Archibald Prize, the Doug Moran and the Sulman Prize.
Sponsored by Charter Hall, one of Australia’s leading property groups which manages $12.1 billion of quality office, industrial and retail assets, Project [504] has been established to provide an outlet for artist’s to showcase their work outside the mainstream gallery scene. It also offers artists a supportive creative working environment, enabling collaboration across genres and mediums and fuelling innovation and creativity.
The space at 504 Pacific Highway is currently showing the works of a number of artists and will host art classes, workshops, events, exhibitions and creative projects over the coming months. Resident Project [504] artists and directors are now accepting proposals for use of the space, and have received overwhelming interest to date.
Natalie Devlin, Charter Hall’s Head of People, Brand and Community said the Group was proud to be partnering with the local North Sydney community to offer Project [504] space at its Pacific Highway office building.
“Public interest initiatives, such as Project [504], can have such a positive social impact, creating stronger engagement within mixed use areas and bringing communities to life.
“Project [504] has taken an under utilised space at 504 Pacific Highway and brought together different parts of the community to create a more interesting and engaging environment.
“Charter Hall is excited to be part of this innovative space; it’s great to see the local community supporting Project [504] and to see the first art works hanging in the gallery for everyone to enjoy,” Ms Devlin added.
Kathrin Longhurst, a Director of Project [504] has been inundated with local support and is working with a number of artists to provide an opportunity that will help them create and showcase their work in a beautiful setting.
“We have enjoyed incredible support so far, both from our corporate sponsor Charter Hall, Lane Cove Council and other businesses in the area who have been donating furniture, equipment, supplies and their services. It’s been so much fun meeting new people and seeing the response to what we are creating in the space.
“There are many artists out there who are very excited to be part of Project [504]. We chose the name Project [504] to indicate that this space is evolving organically and is quite experimental. We don’t know where it will lead and that is part of the fun with it. It can become anything that the artists and community want it to be. One thing is for sure – it won’t be boring,” Ms Longhurst said.
Project [504], located at 504 Pacific Highway, St Leonards will launch with a mixed art exhibition on 20 February 2015 from 6pm. Project [504] is open to the public between 1pm and 6pm weekdays. For more information about the exhibition or to enquire about using the space please contact Kathrin Longhurst on 04111 44 893 or check out the website www.project504.com.au.
Coverage in Poets and Artists, 58th Issue
I am delighted to be featured in Chicago's prestigious magazine 'Poets and Artists'. Among the other featured artists are Alyssa Monks and Cesar Santos. You can order your own copy from blurb
Feathers & Kisses Exhibition, September 2014
Opening speech – Janis Lander
“There has been quite a bit written in the press about this latest exhibition Mertim Gokalp, which shows how much interest this artist is generating. Interviewers have used the term “subjective portraits” – meaning that Mertim deploys techniques designed to shift the focus in a portrait away from social and professional trappings, to the internal emotional landscape of the subject.
In a sense all portrait are subjective, because they are specific, and individual, but in this sense the interviewers mean that Mertim is focusing on the emotional life of the subject, rather than on the role that person plays in an academic or a corporate institution. In terms of the artistic lineage of this kind of approach in portraiture, think not of Hans Holbein’s majestic portrait of King Henry VIII in full regalia, (which by the way, we only know through the copies made by other artists, since the original was lost in a fire) - think rather of Van
Gogh’s self portrait with his ear bandaged.
Mertim Gokalp is as devoted to his profession as any of the artists I have met. He works in the focused, compulsive-obsessive approach that marks all successful artists– contrary to popular belief, making art is not just “selfexpression” – after all, human beings are creative beings – we all “express” ourselves constantly. Making art is a chosen profession. Whether an artist chooses to sculpt in clay or chisel marble, or paint or dance or compose symphonies, all the arts make huge demands of the artist – acquiring the skill set, devoting hours of labour, and developing the conceptual intelligence to take an arsenal of basic techniques and materials and create a painting or a play or a sculpture that speaks to people with a unique voice, communicating a profound insight, or offering some whimsical observation of our shared
human condition. It is in this way that the arts serve the community, and add
to the cultural capital of our civilization. It is at the interface between the intuitive nature of the arts and the scientific nature of technologies that the soul of a civilization is truly reflected.
In terms of their feeling Mertim’s portraits are more whimsical and more fantastical than the heavy psychological portraits by the Symbolists in the 19th and 20th centuries, full of dread and nameless horrors. Mertim’s work is optimistic and joyful in the forward-looking way of our contemporary 21st century world view, and offer the suggestion that isolating personal emotions may veil a greater spiritual dimension where we are all connected.
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LOST 2014 - Leichhardt Open Studio Trail
LOST 2014
I will be opening my gallery to public during the LOST weekend - 8 and 9 March, 2014, between 10am - 3.30pm.
Please spread the word to make sure everyone has an opportunity to join the creative tour, and the chance to get LOST in Leichhardt.
New Show in Washington
My self portrait "I am a bit mad, but that' is okay is selected for a prestigious exhibition that will be held in Washington. Very exciting!!!!
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Borderline Exhibition
The exhibit featured my recent works representing the theme of borderline. The opening night was great fun. I hope everyone enjoyed the night as much as I did.
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| Girl with skull - Mertim Gokalp |
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| I need warmth - Mertim Gokalp |
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| Red Balloon - Mertim Gokalp |
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| Separation - Mertim Gokalp |
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| Scratch - Mertim Gokalp |
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| Occupy - Mertim Gokalp |
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| Out of blue - Mertim Gokalp |
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| Red Carnation - Mertim Gokalp |
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| Transient (Blue Version) - Mertim Gokalp |
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| Wine & Spaghetti - Mertim Gokalp |
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| Hard-wired - Mertim Gokalp |
Borderline: A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity that begins by early adulthood and is present in a variety of contexts
From Judith Johnson's opening speech at the opening night:
I have been asked to speak tonight as Mertimʼs friend
from our Studio 1+2 Rozelle. Thank you all for coming to his special
night. I consider this an honour and a privilege to welcome you to
Borderline. You may have had time to browse around, considering his
paintings which can be seen as strong, challenging,emotional and thought
provoking. His theme is Borderline Personality Disorder, a significant
mental health condition. It's a pervasive pattern of instability in
interpersonal relationships and self image.Marked impulsive behaviours
begin in early adulthood and itʼs present in a variety of contexts.
The artist takes a critical view of social, political
and cultural issues.These works focus on psychological struggles of
contemporary women, inspired by their responses to particular objects.
It's a subject perfect for Mertim as he feels a very strong bond of
empathy for sufferers,he has an understanding. The works are both
arresting and yet poignant. Who are these girls ?
Mertim always conveys a strong narrative in his
paintings, because he wants to capture deep emotions and the painful
struggles therein. To me, these beautiful yet fragile women are the
modern symbols of Psyche, the Greek Goddess of the Soul.
She was the mythical embodiment of the soul, purified by passions and misfortunes. She was thus prepared for the enjoyment of true and pure happiness. This may be drawing a long bow, but I do know that the soul, and the spirit, and the mind are all highly, personally significant for Mertim. References of the ʻpsycheʼ first from Plato ,through the Middle Ages (where it was known as ʻAnimaʼ) to Freud and Jung.... are today in modern cognitive psychology simplified to one word the MIND.
She was the mythical embodiment of the soul, purified by passions and misfortunes. She was thus prepared for the enjoyment of true and pure happiness. This may be drawing a long bow, but I do know that the soul, and the spirit, and the mind are all highly, personally significant for Mertim. References of the ʻpsycheʼ first from Plato ,through the Middle Ages (where it was known as ʻAnimaʼ) to Freud and Jung.... are today in modern cognitive psychology simplified to one word the MIND.
While he is painting these portraits, Mertim responds
to ʻintense emotion,impulsive behaviours, instabilityʼ as he encourages
them ʻto show their deepest feelings which may reflect fear, anger,
desire or passionʼ Consequently, the portraits are darkly mysterious,
enigmatic and puzzling. They seem suggestive of some other story,some
other dimension. The wistful eyes or the steady gaze demand your
attention. On a lighter note, may I say that we see here, incredible
draughtsmanship and exceptional skills in painting practice. (An
indication of his classical training at University in Istanbul.)
And so...Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Velazquez ( his
ʻpin-upsʼ.. amongst many others!) would surely sit up and take note !!
here is a prodigious talent. Being a finalist this year in the
Archibald, is not the first significant award but is the latest ...and
we expect many successes yet to come.
Judith Johnson
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