Born in 1988, Mert Ozgen graduated from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University with a degree in Painting, under the mentorship of Nese Erdok and Nedret Sekban in 2010. He furthered his studies at Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna in Italy, specializing in painting at Massimo Pulini’s studio. In 2016, Ozgen earned a Master's degree in Cultural Studies from Istanbul Bilgi University, focusing his thesis on "Underneath The Skin: The Wound Through The Psychoanalytic Theory," exploring the symbolic implications of corporeal wounds in Christian iconography within psychoanalytic theory.
His artistic vision draws inspiration from the profound beauty depicted in classical literature. Through a technique influenced by the Italian Renaissance, Ozgen portrays the emotional depth of his subjects, critiquing societal obsession with superficial beauty by juxtaposing wounds and stitches on smooth skin. His paintings symbolize a poignant commentary on the demise of contemporary ideals of beauty.
Ozgen's artworks are featured in esteemed collections across Turkey and internationally. His pieces are housed in notable institutions such as the Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture, and he has garnered acclaim through sold-out solo exhibitions and participation in prestigious art fairs.
Mert Ozgen's paintings were being prominently featured throughout the 2022 Disney+ series 'Between the World and Us'.
Speeches
2019 '“TEDx Talks“ - TedX Youth @ Cevre College, Istanbul, TR
Awards
2018 "Award of Excellence" - Conception Arts, Los Angeles, USA
Solo Exhibitions
2019 “Arızalı/Broken” - Galeri/Miz, Istanbul, TR
2014 "No5" - Galeri/Miz, Istanbul, TR
2013 "Ten/Flesh" - Galeri/Miz, Istanbul, TR
2009 “Mert Art-House-Night” - Bologna, IT
Attended Fairs / Joint Exhibitions
2024 ArtWeeks Istanbul X. Edition - Olcay Art, Istanbul, TR
2024 Rainbow - Kutup Moda, Istanbul, TR
2023 Arti 700- Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture, Istanbul, TR
2023 Olcay Art Collection Exhibition III - Olcay Art, Istanbul, TR
2023 Art On Paper - New York, USA
2022 In Memory of Naile Akıncı - Van Universtiy, Van, TR
2022 Oeuvre & Grace - Erimtan Museum, Ankara, TR
2021 CI’21 16th Edition - Tersane Istanbul, TR
2021 CI"‘21 15th Edition- Istanbul, TR
2021 Olcay Art Private Collection Exhibition II - Olcay Art, Istanbul, TR
2021 Love over Entropy - Anna Laudel Gallery, Istanbul, TR
2021 Ongoing images - Galeri/Miz, Istanbul, TR
2020 Virtual Contemporary Istanbul - Istanbul, TR
2020 Step Istanbul - Istanbul, TR
2020 Echo on Artsy - HubDesign New York, USA
2019 Contemporary Istanbul - Istanbul, TR
2018 Contemporary Istanbul - Istanbul, TR
2018 Conception Arts - Los Angeles, USA
2017 Pancake & Booze Art Show - Los Angeles, USA
2017 UNICEF Next Generation - Atlanta, USA
2017 Chocolate and Art Show - Atlanta, USA
2017 Pancake & Booze Art Show - Atlanta, USA
2016 "EdgeCollections Presents", Art Basel in Island Gardens - Miami, USA
2015 "ODA" by SadeKolektif, The Marmara Pera Hotel, Ist., TR
2015 Contemporary Istanbul - Istanbul, TR
2015 Artist 25th Art Fair TÜYAP - Istanbul, TR
2015 Exposition Héroine Lyceé St. Joseph - Istanbul, TR
2015 Sözler Barış Manço, 80 Müzik Sözü, 80 Sanat Gözü - Eski Postane Binası, Istanbul, TR
2015 Yaz Sergisi - Harmony Sanat Galerisi, Istanbul, TR
2015 Naile Akıncı'nın Anısına… - Kızıltoprak Sanat Galerisi, Istanbul, TR
2014 Contemporary Istanbul - Istanbul, TR
2014 Artist 24th Art Fair TÜYAP - Istanbul, TR
2013 Artist 23th Art Fair TÜYAP - Istanbul, TR
2010 İpek-Ahmet Merey Painting Competition Ex. - Istanbul, TR
2009 Artist 19th Art Fair TÜYAP - Istanbul, TR
2009 Mostra International Transito - Accademia di Bella Arti di Bologna, IT
2008 Turkish Heart Foundation 20th Painting Competition – Istanbul, TR