About the artist

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I am an international artist and author born in İzmir, Türkiye, in 1965. My career is defined by a unique signature technique developed through a sophisticated synthesis of Impressionism, Expressionism, Symbolism, Pointillism, and Art Nouveau. This distinctive visual language, characterized by intricate patterns and hidden imagery, has earned me recognition through international exhibitions and juried showcases.

My path to a creative career was not a direct one. After attaining my BA in Labor Relations and serving as a second lieutenant in the Turkish infantry in Gallipoli, I lived in England before making my final move to the United States. For many years, I excelled in finance while my true calling remained suppressed. Although I briefly studied fashion design at the Art Institute of Seattle, I ultimately put my artistic needs on the back burner to support my family. Through the difficult journey of returning to my passion, I learned that turning your back on your true self causes only pain, regardless of outward success. This realization became even clearer when my life’s journey led me to become a Buddhist monk for a short period. I practice Buddhism not as a religion, but as a way of life, and I have found that mindfulness meditation is one of my most powerful tools; through the act of creating, I experience a deep meditation that reconnects me to my imagination.

My professional trajectory is highlighted by an extensive history of exhibitions and residencies across the United States and Europe. I have held solo exhibitions in major art hubs such as New York City and Seattle, and my work has been featured in prestigious international venues, including the 21st Venice International Art Fair and Spazio Levante in Venice, Italy. I have also completed competitive artist residencies at Chateau d’Orquevaux in France and Villa R in Sicily—experiences that have deeply influenced the spiritual and symmetrical themes found in my paintings.

In addition to my visual art, I am the author of the published works In the Cradle of Umbra and Azra’s Labyrinth - Book 1 - The Realm of Illusions Heptalogy. These books allow me to further share the spiritual narratives and vivid dreamscapes that have guided my imagination since early childhood. I have dedicated my career to bringing harmony and beauty into the world, creating work that transcends cultural boundaries. Whether I am creating a commissioned oil painting for St. Philip Neri Catholic Church or exhibiting at cultural landmarks like at Los Angeles Convention Center, I am committed to creating art that stands as a monument to the extraordinary. My paintings are currently held in the permanent collection of Chateau d’Orquevaux in France and in numerous private collections throughout the United States and Europe.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I am an artist and author whose work serves as a bridge between the spiritual realm and the physical world. I have created my own signature technique that combines the principles of Impressionism, Expressionism, Symbolism, Pointillism, and Art Nouveau. This fusion results in artwork filled with beautiful faces, intricate patterns, and hidden imagery in acrylic and oil paint. The meticulous detail of my pieces often leads viewers to mistake the painted surface for finely crafted fabric.

I firmly believe in the power of art to bring beauty, peace, joy, and harmony into the world. This belief drives me to remain connected to my heart and to communicate with my pieces during the creation process. I pay close attention to what my subjects are willing to reveal, allowing the artwork to come to life in unique ways without standing in the way of its evolution. For me, creating is a form of deep meditation that allows the energy of the subject to flow onto the canvas.

My inspiration comes from everything I am lucky enough to experience. My profound connection to the spiritual realm allows me to have vivid dreams featuring breathtaking creatures and beings eager to share their knowledge. These dreams have guided my imagination since childhood, serving as the foundation for my paintings and my literature. Perception is the foundation of my work; each piece is a monument to my love of patterns, symmetry, and unity among colors, designed to take the viewer out of the ordinary and show them something extraordinary.

The Curriculum Vitae – Ayhan Yavuz

Solo Exhibitions

2023 | Solo Exhibition, A/NT Gallery, Seattle, WA
2019 | Solo Exhibition, Kate Oh Gallery, New York, NY
2019 | Solo Art Exhibit, Café Zola, Auburn, WA
2018 | Solo Exhibition, Mountain Pearls Gallery, Big Sky, MT
2017 | Solo Exhibition, Soulfood Coffeehouse and Fair-Trade Emporium, Redmond, WA
2015 | Solo Exhibition, Liberty Bay Gallery, Poulsbo, WA

Group & Two-Person Exhibitions

2025 | Spazio Levante, International Juried Group Exhibition, Venice, Italy
2025 | Two-Person Exhibition, Gallery Belltown, Seattle, WA
2025 | Northwest Folklife Festival, Juried Group Exhibition, Seattle, WA
2025 | Seattle Rep, Juried and Invitational Group Exhibition, Seattle, WA
2025 | 21st Venice International Art Fair, Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, Venice, Italy
2024 | Northwest Folklife Festival, Juried Group Exhibition, Seattle, WA
2023 | Portrait Art Exhibition, Artist Space Gallery (Online)
2022 | International Juried Group Exhibition, ART 2 Art Inc., Los Angeles, CA
2017 | International Meditative Arts Festival, Budart, Los Angeles, CA

Artist Residencies

2024 | Artist Residency, Chateau d'Orquevaux, Champagne-Ardenne, France
2023 | Artist Residency, Villa R, Sicily, Italy

Collections & Commissions

2025 | Permanent Collection, Le Papillon, Chateau d'Orquevaux, France
2023 | Commissioned Oil Painting, St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Fort Mill, SC
2017 | Private Commissioned Painting, Private Collection
2014–Present | Private Collections, Works held in various private collections across the United States and Europe

Publications & Media

2024 | Art Treasury Collectors’ Edition, Cover Artist, Publication
2024 | Small Kingdoms, Album Cover Artwork, Seattle, WA
2021 | Gene Seidman Fine Art, Press Release (Artist Representation), New York, NY
2021 | Art & Beyond Magazine, "Soul Rise Exhibition" feature, Publication
2020 | Rev’Elles Agenda Lunaire, Publication, France
2019 | Rev’Elles Agenda Lunaire, Publication, France
2018 | Rev’Elles Agenda Lunaire, Publication, France

Art Fairs & Events

2023 | RuPaul’s DragCon, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
2022 | RuPaul’s DragCon, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
2021 | Kirkland Summerfest, Kirkland, WA
2019 | RuPaul’s DragCon, Javits Center, New York, NY
2019 | Camano Island Art Festival, Invitational and Juried, Camano Island, WA
2019 | Kirkland Summerfest, Juried Art Fair, Kirkland, WA
2019 | Nights on Ryan, Invitational and Juried, Sumner, WA
2019 | RuPaul’s DragCon, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
2019 | Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Seattle, WA
2019 | Tacoma Home and Garden Show, Tacoma, WA
2018 | Kirkland Oktoberfest, Juried Art Fair, Kirkland, WA
2018 | Kirkland Summerfest, Juried Art Fair, Kirkland, WA
2018 | Redmond Art Festival, Juried Art Fair, Redmond, WA

Books

2017 | In the Cradle of Umbra, Author and Illustrator, Self-Published
2017 | Azra's Labyrinth - Book 1 - The Realm of Illusions Heptalogy, Author and Illustrator, Self-Published