Orhan Taylan

Orhan Taylan was born in Samsun in 1941. His father was from Thessaloniki and was a painter. His mother was from an old Ottoman Pasha family in Istanbul and was also an artist. In 1960, Orhan graduated from Robert College in Istanbul. He then went to Rome and worked intensively on drawing, painting and mural techniques and especially acquainted himself with Mexican mural painting. He participated in the student exhibition at the Academy of Rome. In 1966, he graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Rome and returned to Turkey. Taylan became a member of the Workers Party of Turkey. He has been creating mural-paintings, posters for democratic organizations and trade unions, and drawings for progressive publications. Since 1968 Taylan has held numerous solo exhibitions and participated in various group exhibitions in Turkey. Documentary films about him include “Paintings on Longing” (1988) directed by Nurdan Arca (24 min), “Orhan Taylan’s life and works” (2002) directed by M.Düzgünoğlu (54 min) and “Orhan Taylan in his Studio” (2004), directed by A.Brudniak (34 min). Taylan currently continues his work in Asmalımescit, Istanbul.