Reading List: Modern and Contemporary Art in Turkey 
More often than not, women are overshadowed in the art world. And while…
Reading List: Modern and Contemporary Art in Turkey
Date: 09 May 2021
By
Elina Sairanen
If you are interested in learning more about modern and contemporary art in Turkey, this Reading List could be of interest for you.
Hossein, A. (Ed.) (2010). Unleased. Contemporary Art from Turkey. London: Thames & Hudson.
Following in the wake of groundbreaking books on contemporary art in Iran and the Arab world, Unleashed presents a near-exhaustive selection of some of the most exciting and challenging contemporary art from Turkey, including the work of both established artists such as Sarkis and Gülsün Karamustafa and up-and-coming artists. Featuring over 950 high-quality illustrations, as well as insightful interviews, in-depth profiles of over 100 artists and four thought-provoking essays by leading scholars and curators, Unleashed is the essential guide to the Turkish art scene.
Altındere, H., & Evren, S. (Eds.) (2015). User’s Manual. Contemporary Art in Turkey 1975-2015. Berlin: Revolver Publishing.
The artist Halil Altındere and the writer Süreyyya Evren have edited a comprehensive outlook into the Turkish contemporary art scene, presenting texts of some of the country’s leading artists and curators, including Ali Akay, Ahu Antmen, René Block, Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, Fulya Erdemci, Osman Erden, Charles Esche, Marcus Graf, Hou Hanru, Vasıf Kortun, Beral Madra, Nilgün Özayten, November Paynter and Derya Yücel. 
Laïdi-Hanieh, A. (2017). Fahrelnissa Zeid: Painter of Inner Worlds. London: Art/Books.
Adila Laïdi-Hanieh’s fantastically meticulous and analytical biography on the Turkish modern master Fahrelnissa Zeid is a must read for anyone looking to comprehend the artist’s career better. Organised in nine chapters, the book examines Zeid’s life chronologically from her formative years in the 1920s to her later approach in the 1980s. Drawing on a variety of sources and archives, the biography discusses Zeid’s life in a variety of settings including Baghdad, Berlin, Istanbul, London, Paris and Amman.
Parinaud, A. (Ed.) (1984). Fahrelnissa Zeid. Amman: The Royal National Jordanian Institute Fahrelnissa Zeid of Fine Arts.
Introducing contributions from a number of authors including André Maurois, Denys Chevalier, Charles Estienne, R.V. Gindertael, Jacques Lassaigne, René Barotte and Edouard Roditi, this publication on the life and art of Fahrelnissa Zeid particularly succeeds in presenting several large coloured prints of the artist’s works as well as personal photographs from her life.
Renda, G., Erol, T., Turani, A., Özsezgin, K., & Aslier, M. (Eds.) (1988). A History of Turkish Painting. Seattle: Palasar.
An extensive introduction into the history of Turkish painting with plenty of art historical perspectives including the transition to the modern and contemporary periods – a must for those looking for a more traditional art book form.
Moyer, R. (Ed.) (1986). Dogançay. Hudson Hills Press.
If you are interested in the work of a great Turkish modernist, look no further. Presented with an impressive amount of illustrations and images from Dogançay’s career, the edited volume will undoubtedly help in comprehending the artist’s multifaceted practice.
You might also like:
Reading List: Contemporary Arab Art
