Biography

Ümit Özkanlı's artistic approach has been shaped by his personal experiences, educational background, and artistic interests. Born in Diyarbakır in 1975, Özkanlı completed his primary and high school education there, where his interest in art led him to pursue work in the plastic arts. Özkanlı holds a BA in painting from Dicle University, a MA from Sakarya University, and a Proficiency in Art degree from Kocaeli University. He taught between 1999 and 2020 and has been an academic at Bitlis Eren University since 2020. The artist has participated in numerous national and international exhibitions, festivals, and biennials.

Özkanlı strives to enrich his art with aesthetic and emotional experiences, expressing himself in diverse forms such as painting and poetry. It's safe to say that individual experiences and emotions are at the forefront of his artistic approach. Furthermore, hobbies such as tennis and piano broaden his artistic perspective and help him draw inspiration from diverse disciplines.

Özkanlı's works often explore personal and social themes, aiming to provoke thought and establish an emotional connection with the viewer. In this context, he views art not only as a means of expression but also as a form of communication, and he creates his works with this understanding.