Lot 47: - Erol Akyavas , 1932-1999 Untitled oil on canvas

signed and dated 57 oil on canvas

measurements note 178 by 121cm.; 70 by 47 5/8 in.

Private Collection, Cleveland (acquired directly from the artist)
Sale: Wolf's Auction House, Cleveland, 1989
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

Erol Akyavas is heralded as one of Turkey's most important and influential artists, and the earliest proponent of abstract-expressionism in the country. Beginning his education under the tutellage of Bedri Rahmi Eyuboglu (see lot 55 in this sale), he later moved to Paris where he worked at the studios of the Cubist masters André Lhote and Fernand Léger. Continuing his studies in Chicago, Akyavas embarked on a degree in architecture in the early 1950s shortly before this work was completed. The complementary dual influences of Cubism and architecture are abundantly clear throughout Akyavas' ouevre. In this painting the perspective is broken up and confused, creating different planes and a lack of depth typical of Cubism. Structures reminiscent of modest buildings are represented with doorways and window apertures at inconsistent angles, another nod to the artistic principles of his tutors in art, as well as his architectural training. These very Western principles of Cubism however are not the only influences on Akyavas' approach to perspective. As a moslem Turk, Akyavas had an understanding and appreciation for the artistic principles of the Orient from his youth. Shallow planes, an upright format and a flat aerial perspective, all constitute elements of Islamic miniature painting, and are all equally evident here. This very 'Islamic' approach to art is clearly enhanced by the tenets of Cubism, forming the individual methodology associated with Erol Akyavas. Raised in an era of change, with Ataturk in power, and turning the country's gaze westwards away from its traditional moslem past, it was only on his arrival in the United States that Akyavas began to appreciate the value and profundity of his cultural heritage. Living in a Western civilisation, Akyavas found comfort in Sufism; the mystical path of Islam. Sufis believe in achieving unity with the divine by following a path of realisation. Along this path are seven stages of enlightenment culminating in a deep understanding of the cosmic, spiritual and the divine represented by a shining white light. On reflection, and bearing in mind the artist's beliefs and the weightiness of his visual vocabulary, where no element within a painting is without meaning, it is possible to suggest that Akyavas has represented the Sufi path here in this painting. The main elements of the composition are a variation of shapes in a spiral; beginning with the darkest spiraling upwards, and ending with the largest and brightest. As the soul traverses the path of enlightenment, the darkness shrinks to be replaced with light; ultimately this divinity becomes the most powerful element within the soul. As the soul expands, it fills with a molecular structure, suggesting the development of a higher awareness and an understanding of the sincere connection between creator and creation. This rare and early painting by Erol Akyavas is a superlative example of his work. Combining the various elements of Cubism, architecture and Sufism that characterise his ouevre, it is imbued with the beauty and lyricism we have come to expect from this singular artist.