Istanbul-based DG Art Gallery & Project is participating in ArtAnkara, the 12th International Contemporary Art Fair—one of Turkey’s most significant art events—this year with Kadir Akyol and Erkut Terliksiz. Taking place from March 25–29, 2026, at the Ankara ATO Congresium, the fair brings together various disciplines of contemporary art. At the gallery’s Booth No. 3 in the Foyer, Kadir Akyol’s multi-layered visual language and Erkut Terliksiz’s intuitive and free-spirited narrative create a striking dialogue.
Layers of Time, Memory, and Identity: Kadir Akyol
Kadir Akyol, “Sakura & Inception” : Geçiciliğin Hafızası” başlıklı serisiyle fuarda yer alıyor. Sanatçı, Doğu ve Batı estetiklerini bir araya getirdiği özgün pratiğinde, zaman ve belleğin katmanlı yapısını sorguluyor. Sakura imgesinin geçicilik ve yeniden doğuşa işaret eden sembolik gücü, porselen estetiğini andıran yüzeylerin dinginliğiyle birleşerek figüratif temsili dönüştürüyor.
The concept of “Inception” disrupts the linear flow of time in Akyol’s works; past, present, and future overlap on the same plane, creating a new realm of perception. In this approach, the human face becomes not merely a portrait, but a vessel for cultural memory and the search for contemporary identity. In these works, the viewer witnesses the constant transformation of identity within an atmosphere that oscillates between dream and reality.
The exhibition space is transformed into a holistic spatial experience through custom wallpaper designed by Minimal Contract, bringing Akyol’s visual universe into the physical space.
The Raw Form of Emotion: Erkut Terliksiz
Erkut Terliksiz, meanwhile, presents his exhibition titled “What Will We Do with This Heart Now?” The artist’s practice offers an approach rooted in the intuitive flow of the line, centering on spontaneity and the immediacy of expression. The figures consciously transcend classical notions of proportion and perspective, using elongated limbs, exaggerated facial expressions, and distortions to create a powerful emotional narrative.
Erkut Terliksiz, What Shall We Do With This Heart?, 2026
For Terliksiz, a painting is not a preconceived composition; it is an action that evolves within the process. Every line, every intervention redefines the work’s direction. For this reason, the works represent a story in the making rather than a completed narrative.
In the artist’s works, the energy of colors, the rhythm of lines, and the inner tension of figures simultaneously bring emotions such as fear, curiosity, excitement, and fragility to the surface. The viewer does not merely observe this world; they are drawn into it and experience it firsthand.
An Interdisciplinary Gathering: At the Intersection of Art and Design
Also as part of the fair, the The Skateroom x Erkut Terliksiz project—realized in collaboration with DG Art Gallery & Project and garnering attention on the international stage—is being presented to the public for the first time. In this project, the artist’s visual language is reinterpreted on two iconic skateboards, blurring the boundaries between art and design.
The Dynamic Face of Contemporary Art
DG Art Gallery & Project’s selection at ArtAnkara offers a powerful representation that brings to light both the intellectual and emotional dimensions of contemporary art. Kadir Akyol’s approach, which explores temporal and cultural layers, combined with Erkut Terliksiz’s instinctive and boundary-pushing narrative, promises the viewer a multifaceted experience.
DG Art Gallery & Project ARTANKARA Selection / ATO Congresium / Booth Foyer 3 / March 25–29, 2026
For the full article: https://www.arttv.com.tr/yazi/dg-art-gallery-project-artankarada-imgenin-hafzas-ile-cizginin-durtusunu-bir-araya-getiriyor
