The problem of identity in contemporary Turkish art of Painting

Starting from Central Asia to Anatolia, the Turkish art of painting appears to be an art that was synthesized by the variety of cultures in a vast region. The Turkish art of painting taking its power from its own history?s depths has formed a powerful synthesis with the help of different cultures? interaction and continued in the Uighur, Karahanli and Seljuk periods and realize a good rise in Otoman Empire period.To stop the decline in face of the West, the Otoman Empire launched many innovations in social, cultural, military and economic fields since the beginning of the 18th century. One of these innovations was the opening of the modern technical schools. Painters, with military background graduated from modern schools which were opened towards the middle of the 18th century, brought a new dimension in not only to painting but also to education. This process was the first step towards the modernization of Turkish painting.The Turkish art of painting was influenced by the developing culture environment with the exchanges in the Otoman society in the second half of the 19th century. First, Association of Ottoman Painters was founded to be an association, to be together and to be a group. The main purpose of the society: to combine Turkish artists to create national and local art. It can?t be said that this group was succesful. Because they used a too intellectual language in their thought that they transferred via publications.In Turkish art of painting, 1914 Generation, Independent Painters and Sculptors Association and such formations had been responsible for important duties and were with public in not only Turkish War of Independence but also in the Republic period.Yeniler Group, On?lar Group, Siyah Kalem Group and some other artists turned to their own public realities at the en deven though they were in the attempt to ground the base of the Turkish art of painting to a modern movement.Today it is understood that formation of a strong bond between people and the art lies in the understanding of the art that adresses to the public. In order to form national art, it will be enough to work on already available cumulations. For national art, as choosing the topic that will adres the public, it is important that projection method of these issues and the artists? view of world must be national. So there would be a solid bridge that extends from past to the present in the art of painting.Key Words: Contemporary Turkish art of painting, the Problem of Identity, Local and National Art.