The Exquisite Suffering of Taner Ceylan (Art)

"I am making emotional realism. You must show the subject; the spectator must not see the paint,” says Turkish contemporary artist Taner Ceylan. But he fails beautifully, because once you realize that you are not looking at photographs, you are torn between the gut punch of his subject matter and his virtuouso technique.

Ceylan’s work demands that the viewer encounter sex, blood, religion, and curated suffering. In his current show, the six large-scale canvases included are emblematic of these concerns, culminating in the final painting of the series, I Love You, pictured above.

“Taner Ceylan: I Love You”
S2 Gallery in London through October 28)

See amazing videos of Taner at work on his Facebook page.

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