Esma Kartal

Artist Statement

ARTIST STATEMENT
Artistic Vision and Background
My visual journey, which began with drawing at the age of two and a half, has evolved into a surrealist practice shaped by a self-taught (autodidactic) discipline. I perceive art not as a formal academic training, but as an existential mode of being formed through internal discovery and personal methodological experimentation. Since August 2025, I have been actively involved in the professional art market, presenting my work to international audiences through seven group exhibitions and my debut solo exhibition titled "Beginning" in New York. Additionally, the Honorable Mention award I received from the Teravarna 10th Color Juried Art Competition serves as professional recognition of my technical and conceptual pursuits.
Methodology and Technical Approach
My work embodies the boundless imaginative world of surrealism, utilizing the distinct dynamics of acrylic and oil paints. My methodology is built upon a flexible, purely handcrafted production process that adapts to the specific needs of each piece while remaining faithful to the nature of the materials.
Use of Materials: Depending on the nature of the project, I utilize acrylic and oil paints both as independent disciplines and as complementary layers. Alongside works where I leverage acrylic’s fast-drying and sharp form-defining properties, I create pieces centered on the timeless depth and soft textural transitions offered by oil paint. In some of my works, I synthesize these two mediums to construct rich, multi-layered surfaces.
Craftsmanship and Process: Each of my works is created by directly transferring surreal images from my mind to the surface using brushes and paint, without any digital intervention. The unique brush techniques and layering methods I have developed through the freedom of being a self-taught artist ensure the technical uniqueness of my works and preserve their entirely handcrafted nature