"Abstract" Painting

Mustafa Çetin is a Canadian visual Artist and curator based in Toronto. With a practice spanning more than thirty years, he explores the human figure, memory, and belonging through layered painted surfaces. His life across Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and Canada informs his engagement with identity, migration, and the inner journey.

Çetin graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Hacettepe University in 1992 and completed his Master of Fine Arts at the University of East London in 2000. He settled in Toronto in 2001.

Beginning with collage and dense layers of paint, Çetin gradually introduced text, marks, and human figures into his work. This exploration laid the foundation for paintings that move between figuration and abstraction. Figures sometimes emerge distinctly, then dissolve into colour and texture, while traces and overlapping layers connect past and present.

The winged forms and protective figures that appear in some of his paintings explore vulnerability, the desire for protection, and the search for self. Çetin leaves these images open to interpretation, allowing viewers to connect with the work through their own experiences.

Alongside his painting practice, Çetin curates exhibitions and develops projects that bring together artists from different cultural backgrounds. He co-founded Mavi Art Group in Toronto in 2013 and has contributed to its activities as both an artist and curator.