Fevzi Karakoç – It’s Not Art To Do Something Again

Could you please tell us about yourself so that our readers can get to know you better?

I was born in 1947 in Çankırı. Between 1968-72, I studied at the Istanbul State School of Applied Fine Arts. In 1974, he became an assistant to the same institution. In 1983 I received Proficiency in Art in the field of Printmaking. I became an associate professor in 1986 and a professor in 1993 and worked at Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts until January 2002. Since February 2002, I have been teaching at Yeditepe University, Faculty of Fine Arts.

Every human being has a beginning. When and how did your interest in painting begin?

My relationship with art began before primary school. I did not know the concept of painting and I made small animal sculptures with mud. The animals I saw around me were mostly animals and I liked animals more. When I started primary school at the age of 10, dry paints were generally used as painting material. I was drawing with them on paper. The turning point in my life was when I started Hasanoğlan Teachers’ School. Here, painting workshops, painting materials, paints, brushes and canvases were used free of charge. I chose the artwork as a club work.

What kind of pictures do you paint? What is your theme philosophically?

I express the experiences of this country from the past to the present and the effect of cultural remains on me with my paintings. It is the Anatolian and Asian culture that make up our self. I’m impressed by music, folklore, clothing, historical ruins. Rather, I believe that the feelings I feel constitute my self.

How do you define art and artist?

Art and artist intertwined concept. Professor Mustafa Aslı Erin has a beautiful saying for art:

“Art is to do what doesn’t exist.” The artists are also creative individuals who can express themselves easily and make original works.

How do you define your style and what message do you want to give with your work?

In fact, I certainly do not tell the subject or story in my painting. What I’m trying to tell you; pictorial quests, horse symbol for me. His task is to embark on a familiar task while looking at the picture.

When we say Fevzi Karakoç, can we say that Horse comes to mind first?

The reason I use a horse; It is very difficult to distinguish it from the human being because it is a common symbol and horses play a very important role in human history. It has an important role in the formation of civilizations. And for me, it’s a childhood longing.

What do you think is the sine qua non for the success of your works? Is it a must for people’s hearts?

It is to express the emotions evoked in me by the visual heritations of these lands that I made and mentioned in my paintings through painting.

At the same time, as a result of my research, a trainer who is well-liked by your students, what do you see as the reason you are so loved?

I know I’m a well-liked teacher. The reason for this is that I love the students and I reflect them to them. I don’t like much discipline, and the more free the students are, the more sincere it is to express themselves. I believe that I pay to teach my students what the Republic has given us by serving them.

Is painting a thing to learn? Or is talent more prominent?

Is painting taught? I don’t really believe that. What is taught is always done by someone before. It is not art to do something again. The learner can hardly get out of here.

I had the opportunity to personally examine your unique works of horse labor. What does difference mean to you? What is the secret to your success?

As you can see in my paintings, I do not make sketches before the painting, I do not determine the colors. My work does not satisfy me. Because after seeing the picture in the sketch, he has no surprises for me. What makes me happy; The surprise I’ll catch trying to improvise. Then the painting is not tired. I make the painting for myself. I have to enjoy it first. The sale is in the second place. I gave up a lot of things to paint and suffered. Painting makes me happy.

Are there any recommendations you would like to give to working friends who are at the beginning of this road?

My advice to new artists is that they create a unique narrative language and certainly do not imitate or quote other local or foreign artists.