Biography • Mehmet Güleryüz

Mehmet Güleryüz was born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1938.

He entered The Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts’ Department of Painting in 1958, from which he graduated in First Place in 1966. He also trained in acting whilst studying at the academy, taking part in various ‘actor’s studios’ and important amateur theaters. In 1963, he began his professional acting career at the Arena Theater, directed by Asaf Çiğiltepe.

Güleryüz opened his first personal art exhibition, featuring drawings, in 1963. Between 1970 and 1975 he received advanced training in painting and lithography during a state scholarship to Paris, creating his first sculptures and performance at the Pont des Arts in 1971. This period also saw exhibitions at Galerie Thérèse Rouselle, Perpignan (1971), Galerie Luszpinski, Paris (1972), Galerie Philippe Demay, Paris (1974), Galerie Graffiti, Rouen (1974) and Galerie Thérèse Rouselle, Perpignan (1974). The years 1975 –1980 were spent teaching at the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts’ Painting Department; in 1980 he resigned this position and settled in New York, until 1984. Exhibitions during this period included Galerie Shlesinger – Boissanté, New York (1981), Galerie Thérèse Rouselle, Perpignan (1980 & 1984), Galerie 2016, Brussels (1984 & 1987)

Returning to Istanbul in 1985, Güleryüz provided art training at a studio with his own name at Bilsak. This practice continued until 2000.

In 1986 Güleryüz began to publish the art magazine “Kalın” (Thick); in 1988 he opened his 25th anniversary retrospective at the Ataturk Cultural Center, Istanbul, organized by Galeri Nev, Istanbul, and accompanied by a book written by Nan Freeman. This was followed by an exhibition at National Museum of Painting and Sculpture, Ankara, also organized by Galeri Nev, in 1990.

From 1989 to 1992 Güleryüz served as founding president of the International Fine Arts Organization of Turkey, and between 1990 and 1995 he published an interview column entitled “conversations with Güleryüz” in the magazine, Votre Beauté.

In 1991 he realized the monumental 14-painting cycle “Cross-Wind” for permanent installation in the atrium of the Ankara Sheraton Hotel. He then served as a visiting instructor at Bilkent University, Ankara, in 1992 – the same year as he realized a series of seven paintings for the lobby of the Polat Renaissance Hotel in Istanbul.

Güleryüz visited Bosnia in 1995 under the auspices of the ‘Humanity for Bosnia’ initiative. He revisited his theatrical training between 1998 and 2001, acting the character Pepino in the three-character play, An old clown is Wanted for a small Job at the Istanbul State Theater. The play later toured to Duisburg and Dusseldorf.

Güleryüz was re-elected as the President of the Turkish Fine Arts Association in 2000, in 2001 he was elected as the Eastern European President of the IAA, and upon unification the Vice-president of the unified European Presidency and as a member of the IAA World Administration Board.

In 2003 Güleryüz realized his 40-year drawing retrospective at the Yapı Kredi Kazım Taşkent Gallery, Istanbul.

He taught the Combined Arts Program at Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul from 2003 – 2005. In addition to the lessons provided at his private art studio since 1999 he also taught the Istanbul Bilgi University Design Culture and Administration certificate program.

In 2005, Güleryüz organized the European General Meeting of the IAA, also participating in the 16th IAA World General Meeting in Beijing and the 2nd Beijing Biennial as a member of the IAA World Administration Board.

In 2007 he realized the retrospective and sculpture exhibition, “From Here to There” at the Yapı Kredi Kazım Taşkent Gallery, Istanbul; and “Fifty Years of art,” at Galeri Nev, Ankara in 2008, which was accompanied by a second book by Nan Freeman. His 50th Year retrospective exhibition took place at Kibele Art Gallery in January 2009, with the contribution of İş Bankası, which was accompanied by a book written by Wendy Shaw. In 2009, he also participated in Mardin Contemporary Art Bienal as well as the 9th International Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair and Contemporary Istanbul ’09.

In 2010, he realized 2 exhibitions; “Bile Bile” at Galeri Merkur and “Desen de” at Arte Istanbul. The cover of 150 special editions of “Açık Kitap” (Open Book) which was published for Istanbul-based Açık Radio’s 10th anniversary was hand drawn by Mehmet Güleryüz, with a different design on each cover. In 2011 he participated in international fairs including Dubai, Hong Kong, Basel Scope, Marakesh Art Fair and Contemporary Istanbul. In 2012 he participated in the Viennafair and also took part in Contemporary Istanbul with The Empire Project gallery. A collection of older and brand new drawings on paper and canvas as well as an important sculptural work were featured in the solo show Edge of the line at M1886 Gallery in Ankara. His long awaited solo exhibition “With one’s eyes open” containing brand new works took place at the Empire Project in March 2013, followed by a highly successful showing at Contemporary Istanbul in November of the same year.

Güleryüz is the author of two publications: Güldüğüme Bakma (Don’t be fooled by my smile) a memoir published by İş bankası Kültür Yayınları in 2004 and Resmi Geçit, a book on art theory (İş Bankası Kültür Yayınları, 2014)

In January 2015 a major retrospective exhibition of his work was realized at The Istanbul Modern Museum. The exhibition received record attendance and was regarded as one of the most important artistic events of 2015 in Turkey.

In 2016 a selection of his drawing were exhibited at the at the gallery of Pulchri Studios The Hauge, Netherlands curated by Anne Woodward in the exhibition ‘The Cages of Freedom’.

His most recent solo exhibition “Malgré / Despite” comprised of brand new drawings was exhibited at The Empire Project in January of 2017.

In 2018, he realized 2 exhibition "On the Road" at Jehangir Art Gallery and Jamaat in Mumbai.

Consisting recent works by mehmet Güleryüz painted while in Paris, the exhibition "De L'Intérieur" took place at the Gallery Cyril Guernieri in Paris.

In 2019, "The Garden Complaints" exhibition opened in Paris at Galeri Cyril Guernieri.

In 2020, "From End to End" opened at Saint Benoit High School La Galeri in Istanbul, "The Secret Portraits and Others" at Gallery 11.17.

In 2021 "State of the Line" exhibition opened in Nazım Hikmet Kültürevi in Nilüfer Sanat, Bursa.

In December 2021, Mehmet Güleryüz's book which includes the works of the 2017-2021 Paris period was prepared by QNB Finansbank.

In 2022 "Quai aux Fleurs" exhibition opened at Galerie Cyril Guernieri in Paris.

In 2023 " Mehmet Guleryuz 2013-2023 "exhibition opened at Loft Art Gallery in Istanbul.

Güleryüz continues to live and work in Istanbul, Turkey and Paris, France.

Solo Exhibitions

1963 City Gallery, Istanbul
1966 German Cultural Center, Istanbul
1968 Taksim Arts Gallery, Istanbul
1970 Taksim Arts Gallery, Istanbul
1971 Galerie Thérèse Roussel, Perpignan
1972 Galerie Luszpinski, Paris
1974 Galerie Thérèse Roussel, Perpignan
1974 Galerie Philippe Demay, Paris
1974 Galerie Graffiti, Rouen
1975 Melda Kaptana Arts Gallery, Istanbul
1975 Galeri Baraz, Istanbul
1977 Mediterranean Arts Gallery, Ankara
1977 Studio Theater, Varşova
1978 Maçka Arts Gallery, Istanbul
1979 “Sedat Simavi Foundation Awards”, Vakko Arts Gallery, Ankara
1980 Galerie Thérèse Roussel, Perpignan
1981 Maçka Arts Gallery, Istanbul
1982 Gallery Schlesinger-Boissante, New York
1983 Urart Arts Gallery, Istanbul
1984 Galerie Thérèse Roussel, Perpignan
1984 Galerie 2016, Brüksel
1985 Tanbay Arts Gallery, Ankara
1985 Teşvikiye Arts Gallery, Istanbul
1985 En Gallery, Istanbul
1986 Teşvikiye Arts Gallery, Istanbul
1986 Galeri Nev, Ankara
1987 Galerie 2016, Brüksel
1988 “Portraits”, Galeri Nev, Ankara
1988 “5 Paintings 1 Exhibition”, Galeri Nev, Istanbul
1988 “25th Year in the World of Arts, Retrospective Exhibition”, Galeri Nev, AKM, Istanbul
1990 Galeri Nev, AKM, Istanbul
1990 Galeri Nev, Ankara
1991 “Karşı Rüzgar” (the Counterwind), Sheraton Oteli, Ankara
1992 Galeri Nev, Ankara
1992 “Çöp Masalları” (the Garbage Tales), Polat Rönasans Hotel, Istanbul
1993 Urart Arts Gallery, Istanbul and Ankara
1994 “Desenler” (Patterns) 1963-1994, Galeri Nev, Ankara
1996 Yapı Kredi Kazım Taşkent Arts Gallery, Istanbul
1997 “Bir Defter” (a Notebook), Atatürk Culture Center, Istanbul
1998 Galeri Artist, AKM, Istanbul
1998 Istanbul Arts Fair, Galeri Artist, Istanbul
1999 Galeri Artist, Museum of Paintigns and Sculpture, Ankara
2000 “Bir Yıkımdan Arda Kalanlar” (those Remaining from a Destruction), Teşvikiye Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2000 Axa-Oyak Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2000 “Bir Yıkımın İçinden” (Through a Destruction), um:ag Arts Gallery, Ankara
2001 Galeri Artist, Istanbul
2002 Evin Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2002 Dirimart Kemer Country, Istanbul
2003 Nurol Arts Gallery, Ankara
2003 “Kırk Yıl Desen” (Forty Years of Patterns) Retrospective, Yapı Kredi Kazım Taşkent Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2004 Uğur Mumcu Foundation Gallery, Ankara
2004 “İnsan-Asker?” (Human-Soldier?),Diyarbakır Arts Gallery, Diyarbakır
2004 “Erkekler” (the Men), Galeri x-ist, Istanbul
2005 Tevfik İhtiyar Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2005 Mine Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2006 “Çizgi Roman” (Illustrated Novel), Art x-ist, Istanbul
2006 Agora Shopping Center, İzmir
2006 Tevfik İhtiyar Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2007 “İmkansıza Direnmek” (Resisting the Impossible), Güzelyalı Center for Arts and Culture, İzmir
2007 Tevfik İhtiyar Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2007 “Dipnot” (Footnote), Çırağan Palace Kempinski Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2007 Selçuk Yaşar Arts Gallery, İzmir
2007 “Oradan Oraya” (From One Place to Another) Retrospective Sculpture Exhibition,Yapı Kredi Kazım Taşkent Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2008 “The Exhibition of Artistic and Cultural Activities for the 225th Anniversary of Saint Benoit”, İSO Odakule Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2008 Kırmızı Ardıç Kuşu Arts Gallery, Alaçatı
2008 “Savaş ve İnsan” (War and Human), Kars Arts Gallery, Kars
2008 “50th Year in Arts” Retrospective, Galeri Nev, Ankara
2008 “Resepsiyon” (the Reception), Galeri x-ist, Istanbul
2009 “50th Year Retrospective”, İş Sanat Culture Center, Kibele Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2009 “Desenler” (Drawings), Artisan Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2010 “Bile Bile” (Deliberately) Galeri Merkür, Istanbul
2010 “Desen de…” (“Drawing is also…”), Arte Istanbul, Istanbul
2012 “Çizginin Ucunda” (On the Edge of the Line), M1886, Ankara
2013 “Göz Göre Göre” (Blatantly) The Empire Project, Istanbul
2013- 2014 “Belki” (Perhaps), Nar Artiz Galeri, İzmir
2014 Art’14, “Çizimler” (Drawings), The Empire Project, Londra
2015 “Ressam ve Resim” (The Painter and the Painting), Mehmet Güleryüz Retrospective, Istanbul Modern, Istanbul
2015 “…Ya da” (“…or”), KAV Arts Gallery, Ankara
2016 The Empire Project, Istanbul
2017 “Rağmen” (Despite), The Empire Project, Istanbul
2018 "On The Road", Jehangir,Jamaat Gallery, Mumbai
2018 "De L'Intérieur", Galeri Cyril Guernieri, Paris
2019 "The Garden Complaints", Galeri Cyril Guernieri, Paris
2020 "From End to End" , La Galerie, Saint Benoit High School, Istanbul
2020 "The Secret Portraits and Others", Gallery 11.17, Istanbul
2021 "State of the Line" , Nazım hikmet Kültürevi, Bursa
2022 "Quai aux Fleurs" , Galerie Cyril Guernieri, Paris
2023 " Mehmet Guleryuz 2013-2023 ", Loft Art, Istanbul

Art Fairs

1989 IX. International Stockholm Arts Fair, Galeri Nev, Stockholm
1990, X. International Stockholm Arts Fair, Galeri Nev, Stockholm
1998 Istanbul Arts Fair, Galeri Artist, Istanbul
2009 “Mardin Contemporary Arts”, Mardin
2009 SH Contemporary’09, Galeri x-ist, Shanghai
2009 14th European Contemporary Arts Fair, Galeri x-ist, Strasburg
2009 Contemporary Istanbul’09, Galeri x-ist, Istanbul
2010 Contemporary Istanbul’10 , Galeri Merkür, Istanbul
2011 Art Dubai, Galeri x-ist, Dubai
2011 Hong Kong, The Empire Project, Dubai
2011 Art Basel Scope, The Empire Project, Basel
2011 Marrakesh, The Empire Project, Marrakesh
2011 6th Contemporary Istanbul, The Empire Project, Istanbul
2012 Viennafair, The Empire Project, Vienna
2012 7th Contemporary Istanbul, The Empire Project, Istanbul
2013 8th Contemporary Istanbul, The Empire Project
2014 9th Contemporary Istanbul, The Empire Project, Istanbul
2015 10th Contemporary Istanbul, The Empire Project, Istanbul
2018 Le Salon International du Livre rare & de L'object d'art Galerie Cyril Guernieri Paris Grand Palais
2019 September Artweeks @Akaretler The Empire Poject Istanbul
2019 March Artweeks @Akaretler The Empire Project Istanbul
2020 Artweeks @Akaretler The Empire Project Istanbul
2021 Artweeks @Akaretler The Empire Project Istanbul
2022 Artweeks @Akaretler The Empire Project Istanbul

Group Exhibitions

1964 State Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture, Ankara
1965 State Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture, Istanbul
1965 State Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture, Ankara
1965 TMTF Peace Festival Exhibition, Istanbul
1965 5th Young Artists Biennial, Paris
1966 “Five Young Painters”, Istanbul and Ankara
1966 “5th Biennial of Tehran”, Tehran
1966 “Exhibition of the Association of Contemporary Turkish Painters”, Istanbul
1966 “Contemporary Turkish Art”, Ben-Abby Grey Foundation, Istanbul
1966 “Contemporary Turkish Art”, Ben-Abby Grey Foundation, Minneapolis
1967 “Exhibition of the Association of Contemporary Turkish Painters”, Istanbul
1968 “13 Turkish Artists”, London
1968 “Contemporary Art”, Belgrade
1970 “Contemporary Turkish Painting”, Minneapolis
1971 Sculpture Performance, Pont des Arts, Paris
1972 Salon des Réalités Nouvelles, Paris
1972 Exhibition of Septentrion Awards, Paris
1973 “Nazım Hikmet’e Saygı” (Reverence to Nazım Hikmet), Cité Universitaire, Paris
1973 Salon de Mai, Paris
1974 Salon des Réalités Nouvelles, Paris
1974 Salon de Mai, Paris
1974 L’art dans L’entreprise, Jeulin, Evreux
1975 State Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture
1976 “6 Painters from Istanbul”, Ankara
1976 Tiglat Arts Gallery Inauguration Exhibition, Istanbul
1976 Exhibition of the Visual Arts Center, Istanbul
1977 “Painting in Contemporary Istanbul”, Belgrade
1977 IDGSA Art Festival, Istanbul
1977 Belgrade 77, Belgrade
1978 “Marcelle Duchamps'a Saygı” (Reverence to Marcelle Duchamps), Sarajevo
1978 “Marcelle Duchamp’a Saygı” (Reverence to Marcelle Duchamps), Galeri Moderna, Ljubljana
1979 “Altın Madalya” (Golden Medal), Istanbul State Festival of Fine Arts, Istanbul
1979 Turkish Arts Collection, Ben-Abby Gray, New York
1979 Academy of Fine Arts, Istanbul
1979 “5 Turkish Artists ” Türkay Arts Gallery, Stuttgart
1979 2. IDGSA Arts Festival, Istanbul
1980 “New Year Mix”, Gallery Schlesinger-Boisante, New York
1981 Galeri Baraz, Istanbul
1981 Inter Art 81, New York
1982 “Exhibition of Anatolian Civilizations”, Istanbul
1986 “Turkish Painting in the Second Half of the 20th Century”, Galeri Baraz, Yıldız Palace, Istanbul
1986 “Contemporary Turkish Plastic Arts Exhibition”, Ankara
1987 Tem Arts Gallery, Istanbul
1987 “Modernization in Turkish Painting”, Galeri Baraz, AKM, Istanbul
1987 “Recent Dimensions of Turkish Painting” Galeri Baraz, Istanbul
1987 “New Trends” Mimar Sinan University, Istanbul
1987 “Third Place Award”, International Mediterranean Biennial of Alexandria, Alexandria
1987 1st International Biennial of Istanbul, Ayasofya Hammam, Istanbul
1988 “Turkish Painting”, Galeri Baraz, Yıldız University, Istanbul
1988 “Anonim Kadınlar” (Women Anonymous) Urart Arts Gallery, Istanbul and Ankara
1988 “ Seratonin I”, Feshane, Istanbul
1988 “Contemporary Turkish Painting”, AKM, Ankara
1989 “Raslantısal Bulgu” (Incidental Finding), Installation, Yerebatan Sarnıcı, Arts Festival, Istanbul
1989 2nd International Biennial of Istanbul, Istanbul
1990 “Today’s Turkish Art Grand Exhibition 2”,AKM, Istanbul
1990 “Contemporary Turkish Painting”, KÜSAV-Sotheby’s, Istanbul
1994 Galeri Nev, Museum of Painting and Sculpture, Ankara
1994 Contemporary Turkish Arts Collection of the Central Bank, AKM, Ankara
1995 “I am another”, Galeri Nev, Kopenhag
2000 “Veritas Omnia Vincit” (Hakikat Herşeyin Üstesinden Gelir/The Truth Overcomes Anything) A Lbyrinth Exhibition, Tüyap, Istanbul
2000 METU Arts Fair 2, Exhibition of Plastic Arts, METU Culture and Convention Center, Ankara
2000 “Dört Duvar: Atölye” (Four Walls: Atelier), Axa Oyak Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2001 “Between the Waterfronts” ( Rıhtımlar Arasında ) Istanbul-Rotterdam.
2001 “Watercolor in Turkish Painting”, Kazım Taşkent, Yapı Kredi, Istanbul
2002 “Mavi Sergi” (Blue Exhibition), Koç Museum, Istanbul
2003 “Notebooks of the Artists”, Kazım Taşkent, Yapı Kredi, Istanbul
2003 “Sanat Akmerkez’de” (Art at Akmerkez), Akmerkez, Istanbul.
2004 1st International Pattern Biennial, Plzen
2005 2nd International Biennial of Beijing, Beijing
2007 “Modern ve Ötesi” (Modern and Beyond),Santral Istanbul Museum, Istanbul
2007 “Sketch”, Caddebostan Culture Center ,Istanbul
2007 “Grand Award”, 20th International Arts Festival, Mahres
2012-2013 “Hikayemi hangi Dilde Anlatsam” (In Which Language Shall I tell My Story?), Stedelijk Museum, Schiedam
2013 “Unut-mamak” (To not forget “Mamak”) exhibition, Beşiktaş Municipality, Istanbul
2016 METU Sanat 17
2016 “The Cages Of Freedom”, Studio Pulchri, the Hague
2021 "Papers Please" Galerie Cyril Guernieri Paris

Biennials

1965 5th Biennial of Young Artists, Paris
1966 5th Biennial of Tehran, Tehran
1987 International Biennial of Alexandria, Egypt
1987 1st International Biennial of Istanbul
1989 2nd International Biennial of Istanbul
2004 1st Plzen Biennial of Patterns, Czech Republic
2005 2nd International Biennial of Beijing, Beijing

Awards

1966 First Place Award of the Graduation Competition
1979 Sedat Simavi Foundation Awards, Istanbul State Festival of Fine Arts (Golden Medal).
1990 Painter of the Year, Istanbul Foundation of Education and Culture
1995 Nokta Dergisi Doruktakiler Plastik Sanatlar Ödülü; Nokta Magazine, ‘Doruktakiler’ Award for Plastic Arts
2000-2001 Artist of the Year, Ankara Artistic Board.
2003 Honor Award of Painting, Beykent University.
2007 Best Painter Series Award, II. Golden Tulip Award for Fine Arts

Collections and Museums

Istanbul State Museum of Painting and Sculpture
The Istanbul Modern Museum Collection
Ankara State Museum of Painting and Sculpture
Sakıp Sabancı Collection
Contemporary Turkish Painting Collection of the Central Bank
Collection of the French Ministry of Culture
Collection of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Turkey
Eczacıbaşı Collection
New York University Collection
Karl Hermann Klock Collection, Duisburg

Theatre Acting

1961 Adım Theatre, İp (The rope)
1960 Akademi Theatre, Şehirli Kız (The metropolitan girl).
1960 Sahne-Z, Güneşte 10 Kişi (10 people under sun).
1963 Arena Theatre, Kral Übü (King Ubu).
1963 Arena Theatre, Arslan Asker Şvayk (Şvayk the Lionhearted Soldier).
1963 Arena Theatre, Başkalarının Kellesi (Heads of Others).
1963 Arena Theatre, Kayıp Mektup (The lost Letter).
1998-2001 Istanbul State Theatre, Bir Küçük İş İçin Yaşlı Bir Palyaço Aranıyor (An Aged Clown is Needed for a Minor Business).

Cinema / TV-Acting

1990 Kurtuluş (Independence).
1994 Bir Yaz Yağmuru (A Summer Rain).
1996 Köstebek (Spy).
1997 Kuşatma (Siege).
1997 Bir Doğu Masalı (An Oriental Tale).
2003 Crude.