Turkish Artist Cengiz Çekil, Known for Political Notebook Work, Dies at 70
Cengiz Çekil, a notable Turkish artist born in 1945, passed away on November 11, 2015. He began his artistic journey at the Ankara Gazi Institute of Education, focusing on Painting and Handicrafts, before earning a state scholarship to study at the École Nationale Supérieure Des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His work gained global acclaim, showcased in renowned places like MoMA in New York, the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, and MAK in Vienna, as well as in Mechelen, Belgium. Çekil participated in both the 4th and 11th Istanbul Biennials and Manifesta 5. Notably, in 2011, MoMA acquired his 1976 notebook, Diary, which poignantly included the stamped phrase 'I am still alive today,' reflecting Turkey's political turmoil.
Key facts
- Cengiz Çekil died on 11 November 2015
- He was born in 1945
- He studied at Ankara Gazi Institute of Education
- He attended École Nationale Supérieure Des Beaux-Arts in Paris on a state scholarship
- His work was exhibited at MoMA, New York
- His work was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, Rio de Janeiro
- His work was exhibited at MAK, Vienna
- His work was exhibited in Mechelen, Belgium
- He participated in the 4th and 11th Istanbul Biennials
- He participated in Manifesta 5
- MoMA acquired his 1976 notebook Diary in 2011
- Diary featured stamps saying 'I am still alive today' with dates
- The notebook was a response to Turkey's tense political climate
Entities
Artists
- Cengiz Çekil
Institutions
- Ankara Gazi Institute of Education
- École Nationale Supérieure Des Beaux-Arts
- MoMA
- Museum of Modern Art, Rio de Janeiro
- MAK
- Istanbul Biennial
- Manifesta
Locations
- Turkey
- Ankara
- Paris
- France
- New York
- United States
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil
- Vienna
- Austria
- Mechelen
- Belgium
- Istanbul