Artist Komet, born in Çorum as Gürkan Çoşkun, was a fixture of the Turkish contemporary art scene in Istanbul. An iconic personality, he was perhaps as well known for his larger-than-life presence as for his artistic achievements. Since his passing in 2022, his legacy has only grown in significance, with the Istanbul art community coming to appreciate his contributions even more. In 1971, Komet was awarded a state scholarship and joined the community of Turkish artists in Paris. From that initial moment he forever nurtured his relationship with Paris, which would continue to shape his artistic journey.
This solo exhibition begins with Komet’s early works from the late 1960s, when he was part of the “New Figurative Movement,” before transitioning to a focused selection from the late 1970s—a pivotal period during which his minimalist pieces, later described as “alto modern,” began to take shape. For more than a decade, his paintings were characterized by Neo-Romantic, Neo-Expressionist, and Post-Modernist narratives. Komet drew inspiration from his dreams and mythology, with a particular fascination for the lost Mycenaean empire and Greek mythological creatures such as centaurs, while also striving to capture the essence of poetry on canvas.
An added layer of sentiment lies in the exhibition’s location. The municipality’s tribute to a true Istanbul icon at Casa Botter – just a stone’s throw from Komet’s renowned studio above the Şimdi restaurant in the historic Atlas Apartment – is both heartfelt and deeply meaningful.
Alexandra de Cramer
Issue 66, December 2023
Turkey’s Centenary Issue
