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ÇAĞLAR BIYIKOĞLU
ABOUT
Çağlar Bıyıkoğlu, also known as Bıyıkof, is a Turkish artist who was born in Ankara in 1979. He completed his undergraduate education at Anadolu University in Eskişehir and earned his degree in graphic design from the Faculty of Fine Arts.
After graduating, Bıyıkof worked as an illustrator and art director in advertising agencies. In 2009, his talent was recognized when he was selected as one of the “World’s 200 Best Illustrators” by Lurzer’s Int’l Archive.
However, Bıyıkof felt compelled to explore other artistic avenues, and in 2013 he left advertising to focus on painting and illustration. He has since developed a unique style that blends both digital and analog techniques, and he continues to create new works in his studio in Istanbul.
After graduating, Bıyıkof worked as an illustrator and art director in advertising agencies. In 2009, his talent was recognized when he was selected as one of the “World’s 200 Best Illustrators” by Lurzer’s Int’l Archive.
However, Bıyıkof felt compelled to explore other artistic avenues, and in 2013 he left advertising to focus on painting and illustration. He has since developed a unique style that blends both digital and analog techniques, and he continues to create new works in his studio in Istanbul.
Bıyıkof’s artistic interests are diverse and wide-ranging. He has a particular affinity for exploring flaws, internal conflicts, and existential concerns in his work. His introspective approach has earned him recognition both at home and abroad, and he has participated in numerous group exhibitions over the years. In 2018 and 2019, Bıyıkof embarked on a two-month journey across eight countries in Africa, an experience that provided him with new perspectives and inspiration for his art. In the same year, he held his first solo exhibition titled “Pom-po-pom” at Hey Joe Coffee&Gallery in Eskişehir, where he revealed the process of confronting himself.
Bıyıkof’s second solo exhibition, “Slowly Slowly,” was held at Big Baboli Şarküteri in Istanbul in 2019. This exhibition consisted of works created by the artist by focusing on emotions and liberating bodily reactions. His latest exhibition, “Cry Baby,” was a collaborative effort with artist Kerem Ardahan, and it was held at Bantmag.havuz/Bina in 2021. The exhibition included a collection of works exploring the possibilities of impulsive expression.
Bıyıkof’s second solo exhibition, “Slowly Slowly,” was held at Big Baboli Şarküteri in Istanbul in 2019. This exhibition consisted of works created by the artist by focusing on emotions and liberating bodily reactions. His latest exhibition, “Cry Baby,” was a collaborative effort with artist Kerem Ardahan, and it was held at Bantmag.havuz/Bina in 2021. The exhibition included a collection of works exploring the possibilities of impulsive expression.
Exhibitions
Cry Baby
with Kerem Ardahan
13 Now 2021 - 11 Dec 2021
BANTMAG.HAVUZ
BİNA
İSTANBUL
BANTMAG.HAVUZ
BİNA
İSTANBUL
There is a common point of view that we caught while painting together. We begin to look at the different, the unclassified, the unnamed, the undiscovered, the unpatterned, the untouched, the corrupt, the sick, the ugly, the disorderly, the undefined, even the vagabond, the disobedient, the flawed, according to the general definition. We believe that they are a part of our wealth and nature’s wealth.
Painting is an expression tool that allows us to express flaws, fears and all kinds of emotions on the complex and uncertain background of today’s world, where everything is supposed to be perfect. A game that brings us together. This game, which does not need to come to a conclusion, has no winners and embraces uncertainty, turns into a non-linguistic dialogue where we dance arm in arm with worries, fears, restlessness and regrets, and meet at our singular flaws as two people.
Cry Baby; The energy generated by this whole process bears the traces of scratching, shouting, urging, distress and deception.
Kerem Ardahan X Bıyıkof
Painting is an expression tool that allows us to express flaws, fears and all kinds of emotions on the complex and uncertain background of today’s world, where everything is supposed to be perfect. A game that brings us together. This game, which does not need to come to a conclusion, has no winners and embraces uncertainty, turns into a non-linguistic dialogue where we dance arm in arm with worries, fears, restlessness and regrets, and meet at our singular flaws as two people.
Cry Baby; The energy generated by this whole process bears the traces of scratching, shouting, urging, distress and deception.
Kerem Ardahan X Bıyıkof
Slowly Slowly
9 Now 2019 - 5 Dec 2019
ŞARKÜTERİ
Big Baboli
İSTANBUL
ŞARKÜTERİ
Big Baboli
İSTANBUL
Slowly Slowly consists paintings I made with mostly acrylic paint on canvas between 2011 and 2019.
While drawing these pictures, I tried to use my hands and body, not my mind, as much as possible.
I started from my feelings. Sometimes I attacked with anger, sometimes I touched the canvas with
compassion.
When painting, I can be very gentle, very rude, cowardly or brave. Painting takes me back to my earliest
childhood memories. It makes my actions free and sincere. This excites me. It makes me live.
While drawing these pictures, I tried to use my hands and body, not my mind, as much as possible.
I started from my feelings. Sometimes I attacked with anger, sometimes I touched the canvas with
compassion.
When painting, I can be very gentle, very rude, cowardly or brave. Painting takes me back to my earliest
childhood memories. It makes my actions free and sincere. This excites me. It makes me live.
Pom-Po-Pom
7-18 May 2018
Hey Joe Coffee Co. Gallery
ESKİŞEHİR
Hey Joe Coffee Co. Gallery
ESKİŞEHİR
I express my inner activities in my paintings and
I want them to look good.
“Popo” means “butt” in turkish. Our butt is like our showcase... It contains our backyard, our strength, our weaknesses.
Pom-po-pom is about the flaws I avoid showing.
It’s about shame, conflicts, dilemmas, boundaries, surrender.
Through these paintings, I started to talk to myself,
to meet, to know myself. I started to accept, hear, listen.
Pom-po-pom is our past, our backyard, our savings.
I want them to look good.
“Popo” means “butt” in turkish. Our butt is like our showcase... It contains our backyard, our strength, our weaknesses.
Pom-po-pom is about the flaws I avoid showing.
It’s about shame, conflicts, dilemmas, boundaries, surrender.
Through these paintings, I started to talk to myself,
to meet, to know myself. I started to accept, hear, listen.
Pom-po-pom is our past, our backyard, our savings.
