Pınar Ture Gursoy’s Creative Journey Inspired by Greek and Ottoman Heritage

Pınar Ture Gursoy is a talented Turkish artist known for her beautiful portraits and abstract paintings. In this interview, she shares her thoughts on how her urban planning and architecture background influences her art. Pınar talks about her time at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris, where she grew as an artist and deepened her appreciation for the female form, inspired by her journey as a mother. She also explains how she blends personal stories with elements from Greek and Ottoman cultures, showing us how her heritage shapes her work.

Pınar Ture Gursoy is a featured artist in our book “The Creative Process.” You can explore her journey and the stories of other artists by purchasing the book here: https://shop.artstoheartsproject.com/products/the-creative-process-book

Pinar Ture Gursoy is a portrait, figurative & abstract figurative painter and amateur photographer who was born in 1965 in Istanbul. She completed her higher education in “Urban and Regional Planning” at Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul. Married in 1989 and had two daughters. Between 2010 and 2014, she went back to university and graduated with a BA in “Philosophy” from Anadolu University with distinction. While studying philosophy, she was also living and resided on and off at Île Saint Louis and Vavin in Paris and participating in workshops at the “Académie de la Grande Chaumière” in Vavin/ Paris.   During 2015-2018, in this time she lived and resided on and off in the City of London in London. In this period she graduated with an MSc in Museum Management from “Istanbul University”.  Throughout her career, particularly initially she developed a passion for the Atelier Movement, at various established artist studios. Embracing her foundation in traditional techniques, she attended workshops at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris. She aims to maintain her unique visual language mixing autobiographical material with inspirations from Greek & Ottoman iconography. She has been many Group and Solo exhibiting and auctions in various Turkish cities and also abroad in Tokyo, Lucern, Zurich, Deventer, Venice, Napoli, Milan, Marakkesh, Thessaloniki, Tiran, London, Fuerteventura, Tolentino, Pennsylvania, New York, Santiago etc… Some of her works are included in the collection of TEV(Turkish Education Foundation) and Portart by Hakan Körpi/ UPSD, Museum of Tolentino in Italy for Biennial BIUMOR etc. She currently lives and works in her atelier/home studio in Istanbul.

1. Pınar, how did your background in urban design and architecture influence your approach to painting? 

In my view, painting, one of the most significant fine arts, exists in an interdisciplinary realm. My father was a master architect, and his network included highly competent architects who had undertaken important projects both in Turkey and worldwide – they were his friends, partners, and professional circle. Consequently, our home was brimming with architectural projects, models, renowned architects, designers, competition/Concours projects, extraordinary decoration ideas, decorative elements, and architecture magazines etc. This was the environment I was immersed in since childhood; it was the air I breathed and my natural habitat – it was how I understood and made sense of the world. From a very young age, painting materials, pencils, technical pens, ink, paints, tracing paper, and various papers were always my primary mediums. Therefore, even when I studied Urban and Regional Planning in the Faculty of Architecture, while the scales might have grown larger, the sense and state of design remained unchanged. I believe all of these experiences are reflected in my paintings.​​​​​​​​​​

In my view, painting, one of the most significant fine arts, exists in an interdisciplinary realm.

Pınar Ture Gursoy

2. Can you tell us more about your experience at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris and how it impacted your creative development?  

We lived in Paris between 2010-2014. We resided in the same building where Honore Daumier once lived on Ile Saint Louis, and near the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Vavin, we inhabited charming apartments, truly living like Parisians. During this period, I had the opportunity to participate in various workshops as a guest student. We worked with live nude models, creating simultaneous sketches and drawings using charcoal and graphite. The instructors would examine our work, offer commentary, and make corrections. These were always special moments. I value these studio sessions deeply, especially in Paris… Because the work done in these places feels unparalleled to me, and after those corrections and studies there, your perspective on everything changes.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

3.   What inspired you to focus on the female form in your work, and how do your experiences as a mother influence your art?  

In the ancient Celtic wisdom, embodied in the sacred symbol of Triskelion, a woman’s essence flows through three profound phases: the Maiden, with her fresh innocence and boundless potential; the Mother, carrying the power of creation and nurture; and the Wise Woman, bearing the depths of wisdom and spiritual insight. As a woman, I have instinctively embraced and honored this sacred trilogy throughout every chapter of my life’s journey. I believe this timeless trinity has woven itself naturally into the fabric of my artistic expression, emerging through my work like an ancient truth speaking in a modern voice.

4.  Your artwork often combines autobiographical elements with Greek and Ottoman iconography. How do you blend these inspirations into a cohesive visual language?  

I was born and live upon the ancient soils of Anatolia – a sacred crossroads where civilizations have flourished and faded like seasons: the Luwians, Hattians, Hittites, Greeks, the mighty Roman and Persian empires, the Seljuks, the Eastern Roman/Byzantine Empire, the Ottomans, and now the Republic of Turkey. Each civilization has woven its thread into the tapestry of these lands. Thus, when I transfer the archetypes that flow naturally through my genes and consciousness onto canvas, I am performing an act as natural and necessary as breathing – channeling the whispers of countless generations through my art.

When I transfer the archetypes that flow naturally through my genes and consciousness onto canvas, I am performing an act as natural and necessary as breathing – channeling the whispers of countless generations through my art.

Pınar Ture Gursoy

5.  You’ve had the opportunity to exhibit internationally. What has been your most memorable exhibition experience so far?  

I have been at many Group and Solo exhibiting and auctions in various Turkish cities and also abroad in Tokyo, Lucern, Zurich, Deventer, Venice, Napoli, Milan, Marakkesh, Thessaloniki, Tiran, London, Fuerteventura, Tolentino, Pennsylvania, New York, Santiago, etc. But I think my most memorable exhibition experience is in Santiago/ Chile.

Pınar Ture Gursoy’s art is a wonderful mix of her life experiences and cultural background. She creates pieces that resonate deeply with viewers by combining personal stories with historical influences. To learn more about Pinar, click the following links to visit her profile.

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