Art inspired by tragedy on show in Bahrain
Manama, April 10, 2014
An artist whose work with vehicle parts is inspired by a car accident that left him temporarily unable to walk is exhibiting his work in Bahrain.
Turkish sculptor Ali Abayoglu, 34, suffered a car accident 15 years ago that left him with multiple fractures, including two broken legs, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.
His ordeal inspired him to use scrap metal from Volkswagen cars to create stunning works of art.
He shapes the metal and incorporates glass to come up with eye-catching sculptures, which are based on the human form during yoga.
However, for his Bahrain debut he branched out into jellyfish - symbolising the country's affinity with the sea.
"I was driving and I lost control of my car and crashed into a tree," Abayoglu recalled when asked where the idea came from.
"I wasn't wearing a seatbelt and I flew out of the car.
"I broke both my legs and, as I was getting better, through doctors I learnt a lot about the human anatomy."
He initially required a wheelchair and it was a year before he could walk again, which made him realise just how important people's limbs are.
During his recovery he began to visualise ideas and he now bases his artwork on photographs of yoga masters in various positions.
"I created the jellyfish especially for this Bahraini exhibition," he said.
"I thought that since Bahrain is an island, I could do something inspired by that.
"For my yoga pieces, as you can see, each of the pieces are not the same.
"Each takes about a month to finish.
"I start by drawing a yoga position and going to a yoga master and getting them to do the pose.
"I then take pictures from different angles, and I use those to create my pieces."
Abayoglu's Entropy of Fusion exhibition opens in Bahrain tonight at La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art, Manama.
It is taking place as part of the Spring of Culture festival and features work created from old Volkswagen transmissions that he collects from junkyards and then shapes into beautiful poses - adding glass for effect.
"I liked the metal pieces," he said.
"But just with metal, it's a bit monotonous - with glass it looks more precious.
"I love the transparency of it and how fragile it is.
"I don't like it to be completely clear, so I use a process that includes a special material to get that texture and small cracks in it."
He is now keen to share his work with people in Bahrain, having been sought out by La Fontaine owner Fatima Ali Reza.
"Fatima came to Assos, a small town in Turkey, and found me there," he said.
"She had this idea to put together this exhibition and I agreed.
"I'm very excited about it and eager to share my work with people here.
"I want them to feel free and happy when they see my work."
Tonight's exhibition opening also features a opera performance by pianist Alena Meslivkova and soprano Natalia Vozmishscheva.
The exhibition opens at 6pm and is followed by a dinner concert at 7.30pm, with tickets priced at BD30 ($79).
Abayoglu's exhibition is due to continue at La Fontaine for the next four months. - TradeArabia News Service
