Tufan Pehlivan

My artistic journey has been shaped by an eclectic mix of experiences, places, and disciplines. Born
in Istanbul in 1985 as the middle child of three, I was drawn to various art forms from an early age,
exploring different mediums to express the complex world around me. My formal education began at
Istanbul University, where I pursued a degree in tannery with a focus on footwear design, leather
goods, and the fashion industry. This early engagement with design and craftsmanship provided a
strong foundation for my understanding of materials and the creative process.
In my mid-twenties, I began to explore theatre and performance in Istanbul. The expressive and
performative aspects of theatre deeply resonated with me, leading me to reconsider how narrative
could be conveyed through visual art. This shift in focus convinced me, at the age of twenty-eight, to
move to New York City, where I studied filmmaking and acting at the New York Film Academy. Here, I
learned the power of storytelling through images, a skill that has deeply influenced my approach to
painting.
My time in New York was transformative. I enrolled at The Art Students League of New York, studying
under the mentorship of renowned artists Robert Cenedella and ...

The Art Students League Of New York