Anethnographic study of Anatolian culture and life inMali̇k Aksel'spaintings

The aim of this research is to examine the ethnographic reflections of Anatolian folk culture in the works of Malik Aksel, one of the prominent figures of Turkish painting. Based on the idea that art is not only an aesthetic field of production but also a historical document reflecting the cultural memory of a society, Aksel's paintings are analyzed within cultural, artistic, and sociological contexts. The study investigates how Malik Aksel depicted the daily life, belief systems, social relations, traditions and customs, clothing styles, architectural structures, and handicrafts of Anatolian people in his works. In this regard, the figures, spaces, symbols, and motifs in the artist's paintings are evaluated through an ethnographic analysis. The research problem is formulated as follows: "How are the lifestyle, traditions, and social structure of the Anatolian people represented in Malik Aksel's paintings?" Based on this main question, sub-problems include aspects such as social structure, iconographic elements, and representations of gender in the artist's works. The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach, and data were collected through document analysis and expert opinions. The scope of the research is limited to fifteen of Malik Aksel's paintings that reflect Anatolian ethnography. These works are analyzed within their cultural contexts through the visual ethnography method. The findings indicate that Malik Aksel's art is not merely a formal aesthetic expression but also a form of visual ethnography containing cultural and sociological data about Anatolian life. The artist's figurative narration conveys the daily life, traditional values, and cultural identity of the Anatolian people with artistic sensitivity. In this respect, the study adopts an interdisciplinary perspective at the intersection of art history, folklore, cultural anthropology, and sociology. While emphasizing the unique value of Malik Aksel's works in terms of Turkish cultural history, it also sheds light on issues of cultural heritage, social memory, and identity construction. Keywords: Malik Aksel, Anatolian Culture, Ethnography, Folk Art, Turkish Painting