Contest 11 – Winner Interview – Yunus Subaşı

Interviewed by - Pragati Surana https://www.instagram.com/pragatisurana.ch/

Please tell us about your journey as an artist.

My journey as an artist has been deeply personal and emotional. I have always been interested in expressing human emotions through painting, especially feelings such as loneliness, silence, and psychological tension. Over time, painting became not only a form of artistic expression for me but also a way to explore and communicate complex emotions.

I mainly work on figurative paintings where emotional atmosphere plays a central role. Color, light, and facial expression are the most important elements in my work. Through my paintings I try to create images that feel intimate, quiet, and emotionally powerful.

What is your medium and why did you choose it?

My primary medium is oil painting. I chose oil paint because of its depth, richness of color, and the possibility to create subtle tonal transitions. Oil paint allows me to build atmosphere slowly and carefully.

The layering possibilities of oil paint help me create strong emotional expressions and detailed textures. This medium gives me the control and flexibility I need to achieve the intensity and realism I aim for in my paintings.

What was the inspiration behind this work?

The inspiration behind this work comes from themes of solitude, introspection, and the silent emotional weight carried by individuals. I am interested in portraying figures that feel psychologically present and contemplative.

The crow in the painting adds a symbolic element. For me it represents observation, mystery, and sometimes the darker side of human experience. The relationship between the figure and the crow creates a quiet narrative that invites the viewer to reflect on inner emotions and hidden meanings.

Who is your favorite artist? Why?

One of my favourite artists is Rembrandt. I admire his extraordinary ability to capture human psychology through light and shadow. His portraits feel deeply alive and emotionally complex.

The way he used light to reveal character and mood continues to inspire many painters today, including myself.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Progressus Art Awards.