Hi, I’m Erol Yıldırım.
Born in 1959 in Bolu, Turkey. I completed my primary, secondary and high school education in Izmir. In 1977, I entered the Turkish Military Academy. In 1980, I participated in the painting course opened at the academy and took part in my first group exhibition the same year. I began my service as a lieutenant in 1981, while continuing my artistic practice alongside my military career.
I received private lessons from the Iranian painter Yakup Hüseyinzade. Between 2010 and 2013, I studied printmaking techniques with Prof. H. Müjde Ayan at Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts.
Education:
Received painting traning at the Turkish Military Academy. Further studies included painting under Iranian artist Yakup Hüseyinzade and printmaking techniques with Professor H. Müjde Ayan (2010—2013)
Events:
My work begins with an emotional impact. This may come from a person’ s story, the tone of a song, a historical place, an object, a memory, or an event. I translate these impressions into symbolic drawings, allowing intuition and emotion to guide the process.
My paintings emerge from these initial drawings. On the canvas , I first build layers using imitasyon gold, silver, and copper leaf, metalic powders, and in certain areas surfaces reminiscent of marbling techniques before beginning the oil painting process.
Through symbols, figures, and personal imagery, my work explores memory, longing, fate, silence, and the hidden worlds that people carry within themselves.
Professional Member of GESAM (Turkey), Member:1236.