Nejad Devrim (1923–1995) grew up during the cultural transformation of the early Republic and became a key figure in the internationalisation of Turkish modern painting. He began his education under the French painter Léopold Lévy at the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts, a pivotal moment that expanded his art to a universal dimension. Moving to Paris in 1946, he merged his artistic talent, cultural background, and fluency in French to make the most of post- war opportunities, quickly gaining recognition. His 1947 solo exhibition in Paris marked the start of his journey to represent Turkish art globally and discover abstract art.
Devrim, whose work paralleled that of modernist artists, became active in the European art scene. He moved away from the figurative compositions he began in Istanbul and created works that would later be regarded as masterpieces of Turkish abstract art. He integrated the vibrant compositions of Byzantine mosaics, carving out a unique space for himself in the European art world. Known as the leading figure of geometric and lyrical abstraction in Turkish art, he believed nature should be explored for its deeper meaning, not just imitated. His lyrical paintings, where color is central to the composition, inspired his artistic approach. Devrim saw his paintings as a field of discovery, where chance encounters and the unknown could form new compositions.
The 1950s marked a turning point in Devrim’s career, as he refined his abstract approach, blending Eastern visual language with Western modernist influences, adding new depth to his work. After moving to Poland in 1968, he continued to expand his art and remained productive. The artist passed away in Poland in 1995.
Galeri Nev Istanbul has organized several exhibitions of Devrim’s works. Notable among them was the 2001 retrospective at the Atatürk Cultural Centre, which introduced his works to a wider audience. In 2006, the Two Generations of Rainbow exhibition at Istanbul Modern, curated by Haldun Dostoğlu, featured Devrim alongside Fahrelnissa Zeid, uniting key figures of Turkish abstract art. The 2018 exhibition Constructing the Abstract at Galeri Nev Istanbul showcased his Paris works from 1947–1968. In 2023, the The Centenary of Nejad Devrim at Galeri Nev Istanbul celebrated his 100th birthday and gave the opportunity to rediscover his lyrical abstractions, rich color palette, and unique narrative.
Nejad Devrim’s works continue to inspire both the Turkish and international art scenes, connecting with art lovers while preserving their power and originality.
