Landscape painting as a method for raising ecological consciousness

Art is a form of visual expression used as a powerful medium. Artists have used art as a tool to emphasize a theme, and over time, it has become a comprehensive goal. Increasing the value of nature and raising awareness through art emerges as a phenomenon that can be examined from a semiotic perspective. Historically, landscape has held a place in various societies throughout art history. Nature and landscape themes, which have inspired numerous artists historically, have influenced individuals with diverse content. Landscape, by virtue of its subject matter, can be considered a part of ecology, encompassing signs found on Earth and offering diverse appearances. In this thesis, landscape painting has been examined through collage, photo-collage, and digital collage techniques, with the aim of evaluating and interpreting it from the artist's perspective. The choice of landscape theme was influenced by the idea that landscape paintings possess a comprehensive content, are accessible and applicable, appeal to all societies, and contribute to raising awareness. Therefore, the study is titled "Landscape Painting as a Method for Raising Ecological Awareness." In this context, it is envisioned that landscape painting not only possesses aesthetic value but can also be considered a method for fostering ecological and nature awareness. The first part of the study examines the origins and historical development of the landscape theme. The second part examines the emergence of collage technique, the genres of collage, photo-collage, and digital collage, as well as David Hockney and his works as representations of these techniques in landscape painting. The third part explores the role of landscape painting in raising awareness, the importance of ecology in raising awareness, the interaction between nature, artwork, and viewer, and the fostering of individual and social consciousness through art. Finally, the paintings of Buket Efe are examined. Keywords: Nature, Digital Collage, Ecodidactics, Ecology, Collage, Landscape.