Turkish painter Avni Arbaş, born in Istanbul in 1919, studied under Leopold Levy at the Istanbul Academy of Fine Arts from 1940 to 1947. He earned a scholarship to Paris in 1947, where he held his first solo exhibitions in the 1950s and participated in group shows in various cities. A prominent figure among Turkish painters who settled in Europe in the 1950s, Arbaş has maintained distinct characteristics in his art. Remaining outside contemporary trends, preserving personal preferences, and drawing inspiration from observed realities have been fundamental to Arbaş' artistic journey since the 1940s. His experiences and research abroad, aimed at establishing his identity, have further emphasized these qualities. Whether during his Paris period or after returning to Turkey in 1977, his works exhibit a consistent trend and sensitivity. Arbaş, inspired by nature, particularly in works from the 1970s reflecting impressions of Turkey, adhered to stain values. He focused on eliminating details from his paintings, emphasizing the evocative characteristics of the image. Despite narrative influences, Arbaş' storytelling is more soft and emotionally expressive than strictly rule-based. This narrative approach allows him to embrace objects with an artist's sincerity.
