The place of İbrahi̇m Balaban in Turkish Painting and Anatolia depictions in his paintings

The focal point of this study is to analyse the significance of the artist İbrahim Balaban (1921) in Turkish painting art and the portrayals of Anatolia as a whole in his paintings. Starting his art education after he met the eminent poet Nazım Hikmet in Bursa Prison in 1948, Balaban's stages of art and the subject matters of his paintings are also examined as parts of the sub-problems of the research. Another key element that constitute the skeleton of the research is the reflection of the political and societal condition of Turkey on Balaban's art. Throughout the research, the screening method has been used. Moreover, Balaban's family members were interviewed, and his son Hasan Nazım Balaban were posed various questions regarding Balaban's life and art. Although the master-apprentice relationship between him and Nazım Hikmet contributed a lot to his career, this forestalled Balaban's artistic success. This resulted in Balaban's being exposed to political defaming, and his being in the eminent poet Nazım Hikmet's shadow. Since Balaban has not been included into any scientific research with his artworks up to today, this study has made itself compulsory. Growing up in the rural areas, Balaban's paintings about Anatolia and Anatolian people can be related to a variety of art movements. Hence, the perception that Balaban paints only under the influence of Naïve Art conception is wrong. The originality, localness, and diversity in style unique to Balaban's art is a direct result of his dominion over several branches of art. Also known in Europe where he has held exhibitions and has been deemed worthy of numerous awards, Balaban is the leading artist representing Anatolia and Anatolian people best. This research reveals Balaban's self-existing and self-evolving mastery independent from people or locations, and his legitimate significance in the Turkish art. 96-year-old İbrahim Balaban (on the date at which the research was conducted) still continues his art in his studio despite his old age.