Born in 1988, Mert Ozgen graduated from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Painting Department, Nese Erdok and Nedret Sekban Studio in 2010. He studied in Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna, Painting Department, Massimo Pulini Studio, in Italy. Ozgen graduated from Istanbul Bilgi University with a Master`s degree in Cultural Studies in 2016 writing his thesis “Underneath The Skin: The Wound Through The Psychoanalytic Theory” that studies the connotative meaning of the corporal wound in the context of psychoanalytic theory through the Christian iconography.
His work draws inspiration from the endless beauty described in classic literature. Conveying the emotional depth of the portrait through his use of Italian Renaissance-influenced technique, he aims to criticize the despotism of beauty and cosmetics with the use of wounds and stitches painted on the smooth skin. His paintings represent the beautiful suicide of the current idea of superficial beauty that captures the eye.
Ozgen regularly participates in leading art fairs and sold out his solo shows.
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
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 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