About Artist

Emre Gözalan – About the Artist
From Photography to Painting
Emre Gözalan began his artistic journey as a portrait photographer, capturing the depth of human expressions through his lens. His fascination with photographic realism led him to painting, where he initially aimed to recreate life with hyperrealistic precision. However, over time, he began to question the concept of realism in art, which led him to develop a more surreal and abstract visual language.

A Love for Portraits and the Human Figure

Human figures play a central role in Gözalan’s art. His passion for portrait painting stems from his deep curiosity about people—beyond their physical appearance, he seeks to depict the emotions, personality, and inner world of his subjects. His portraits are not mere reproductions; they are reinterpretations of reality filtered through his personal perspective, making each piece uniquely expressive.

Surreal Landscapes and Abstract Forms

Beyond portraiture, Gözalan explores surreal nature landscapes, often transforming familiar sceneries into dreamlike, otherworldly compositions. He enjoys blending natural elements with fantastical, abstract forms, creating a unique balance between the recognizable and the imaginary. His landscapes invite the viewer into a space that feels both familiar and uncanny, where the rules of reality are subtly altered.

Similarly, his work includes abstract compositions where he experiments with form, color, and structure. These pieces often break away from traditional representation, instead serving as expressions of emotion and thought through shape and movement.

Technique and Medium

Gözalan works exclusively with oil paint, a medium that allows him to achieve rich textures, deep contrasts, and layered complexity in his paintings. His use of color and brushstrokes is both expressive and deliberate, adding a sense of dynamism and depth to his work.

Artistic Vision

At its core, Gözalan’s art bridges the gap between reality and imagination. His works reflect his inner world, reshaped through his unique perception, rather than being a direct copy of what he sees. By transitioning from hyperrealism to surrealism and abstraction, he has developed a distinctive style that continues to evolve.

Each of his paintings is a visual narrative, a window into both his artistic exploration and personal expression. Whether depicting the human face, surreal nature, or abstract elements, Gözalan’s work challenges the viewer to look beyond the surface and engage with the deeper emotions and ideas embedded in his creations.