Mertim Gokalp

Mertim Gökalp, born 1981, is a Turkish Australian painter. He was a finalist in the highly esteemed Archibald Prize for 2013, through his portrait of Bille Brown.

Mertim Gokalp

Life and Work

Mertim Gokalp is a contemporary portrait artist. His work incorporates traditional figurative art with reflections of the inner conflicts of the psyche. He captures particular physical moments of people and places and places himself as the narrator by reflecting the true psychological states of his subjects onto the canvas.

Mertim is a Sydney based artist of Turkish origin. He has moved to Sydney in 2009 and since then he has been working from his studio in Balmain. His contribution to the contemporary Australian art scene has recently awarded Mertim with a distinguished talent visa by the Australian Government, allowing him to live and work in Australia.

Education and Background

Mertim holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul. Founded in 1882, Mimar Sinan F.A.U. is a privileged institution, which is Turkey’s leading and one of the most prestigious Fine Arts Universities in the international platform.

Past Exhibition

Mertim’s self-portrait ‘I am a bit mad, but that is ok!’, which was a semi-finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2013,^[1] has been selected amongst many Australian portrait artists to be exhibited at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC, U.S.A.

In May 2014, two of Mertim's paintings ‘Mama keeps me warm’ and ‘ Bille Brown in a Turkish Bath’ have been selected to be exhibited by Angus Trumble in the Glencore Percival Portrait Prize. This is artist’s first time in exhibiting his works in Queensland.

In August 2013, Mertim had his second exhibition Borderline, where he explored the struggles of contemporary women of the modern city life. This exhibition reflects the unique sense of satire and humour in his artwork.

In March 2013, Mertim’s portrait of the late Bille Brown, an internationally recognised Australian stage, film, television actor, and acclaimed playwright, was announced as one of the finalists in the highly esteemed Archibald Prize.^[2] It was also exhibited in NSW Parliament House in July 2013 as a part of the “MultiCultural Australia” exhibition.

In 2012, Mertim’s work of a selection of portraits of “iconic” business people and famous local Balmain “identities”, “50 Faces of Balmain” was exhibited as a pop-up solo exhibition in the Contemporary Gallery of the Balmain Art and Craft Show.

In 2011 Buoyancy of Water and Bloody Rats of Sydney exhibition, Mertim explored the underground lives of Sydney-siders as he quickly discovered and became a part of the alternative lifestyle. Paintings in the series unite around the water theme. Artist’s personal connection to water helped him reflect his early experiences in the city onto the canvas.

International Memberships and Affiliations

Mertim is an exhibiting member of Portrait Artists Australia (PAA), an incorporated, non-profit, national association of 100 professional artists, dedicated to representing and promoting the art of portraiture in Australia and overseas.

Mertim is a member of UPSD Association International of Art. UPSD, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. UPSD is tied to IAA/AIAP (Association Internationale des Arts Plastiques)/International Plastic Arts Association.

Mertim also holds membership with Portrait Society of America, a non-profit organization with the primary purpose to foster and enhance an understanding of the practice, techniques and applications of fine art portraiture and figurative works.

Mertim has been a member of Saatchi Art since 2011.^[3] His works were featured in many monthly selections. Mertim’s works are accessible to a global art community through Saatchi’s worldwide network.

Publications

American Poets and Artist Magazine issue #58 6 pages article http://www.poetsandartists.com GOSS183, 604 VALE ST, BLOOMINGTON, IL 61701 ‘Transient’ and ‘Bille Brown in a Turkish Bath’ have been published in International Contemporary Artists Book series, volume VI in 2012, by: ICA Publishing, New York.

Awards

Doug Moran National Portrait Prize Semi Finalist | Sydney 2014
Glencore Percival Portrait Prize Finalist |Townsville 2014
Archibald Prize Finalist | Sydney 2013
Hunters Hill Art Prize People’s Choice Award | Sydney 2013
Doug Moran National Portrait Prize Semi Finalist | Sydney 2012
School of Visual Arts Honourable Mention | New York 2012
Hunters Hill Regional Art Prize Winner | Sydney 2012
Hunters Hill Art Prize Highly Commended & Commended Awards | Sydney 2012
Real Refuses The Democratic Archibald Prize Winner | Sydney 2012
Black Swan Art Prize Finalist | Perth 2011
Real Refuses The Democratic Archibald Prize Winner | Sydney 2011
Hunters Hill Art Prize Highly Commended | Sydney 2011
Brunswick Street Gallery Works on Paper Finalist | Melbourne 2009
Brunswick Street Gallery Small Works Finalist | Melbourne 2009
Rex Livingston Art Gallery Mount Eyre Art Prize Finalist | Sydney 2009