Temel Nal — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Biography

Temel Nal lives and works in Germany.

Artist Statement

I am a photographic artist . My work is impressionistic and underpins a world unreservedly released from everyday reality. None of my work is digitally manipulated, it is not computer-generated imagery. I use a unique photographic technique, developed over the years which allows me to “paint” with my camera on -site. My images are a direct result of the impressions I have when shooting the image. I very rarely enhance and then only minimally. I try to capture the infinite variations of our everyday reality, releasing colour from its form. The result is a color-dominated impressionistic world. Out of this world, I create single shots, or increasingly, themed Series.I want and need to reach people emotionally with my work. The camera is the tool I have chosen to achieve this. All of my work is available in signed, dated and numbered Limited Editions and printed in varying formats on either the highest quality handmade photographic paper or fine aluminum sheets.

What first prompted you to think of becoming an artist?

I think it’s something that you have little choice over. It’s something that you just have to do. No matter how or at what time in your life you start, you ARE an artist , creating is a need. My need was to take my camera and try to capture the worlds, the realities that exist outside our norm. Without doubt, there are many existing realities and through my work I try to capture at least one! My decision to step into the professional art world, was prompted by my supporter and mentor Sami Memeli. I owe it to him that I started showing in exhibitions and going public.

What kind of an artist do you ultimately see yourself?

I am an artist who has chosen the camera to be my tool to create the visuals that I hope will arouse, awaken, transport and speak emotionally to the viewer. Crucial to this process, and for me it’s really important that the viewer knows this, is that I do not digitally manipulate my images. What you see is NOT computer-generated imagery. I “paint” with my camera, if you will. The image you see on the wall is exactly what I saw through my lens at the time of taking the shot.

What are you hoping to communicate to the viewer through your work?

I would like my work to draw the viewer’s attention to other realities and to the urgent topics of our world today. But without using shock effects. I also naturally hope that my works will make an impression and be remembered for some time to come.

Can you explain the process of creating your work?

Over the years I developed the technique to create the visual imagery that makes my work so easily recognizable today. I sculpt “brushstrokes” , shards of colour and light. These elements, these brushstrokes run in all directions. This is normally not possible without the use of a computer. But I do not rely on any technology outside of my camera. Nothing is produced or changed once the shot is taken. Initially I used only daylight and outdoor scenes and locations. But then I started developing series on the topics that were important to me. Daylight and outdoor scenes were not enough to address the challenges I felt I needed to portray in my work. And the more complex themes I wanted to approach became more and more possible in the confines of my studio. I started creating the scenarios I needed. Used models, props and artificial lighting.

What is your favourite part of the creative process?

My favourite part of the process after intensive and extensive preparation is when I see the results! All of my works are created at the time of taking and are not random results. I design my “ brushstrokes”. But as with all artists and painters, I need many tries and a lot of time till I get the work to be where I want it to be. So I am constantly adjusting and re-doing. This phase demands a very high level of concentration. It is tiring and strenuous, but when I arrive at the image I want , the feeling is phenomenal.

Can you give us an insight into current projects and inspiration, or what we can look forward to from you in the near future?

My current project is called “DataWorld”. I had been mulling over its core theme for the past two years until it really gripped me , taking me over entirely. With my preceding series “Blue/Red-Lady/Man” or “Masks”, I was dealing with the theme of man distancing himself more and more from his natural surroundings. Then it literally struck me that this is having unprecedented and alarming consequences in every part of our present-day lives. As humans merge with technology, society is entering a new phase of evolution, a DataWorld is being created. This is most possibly precipitating the biggest shift in our consciousness since we learnt how to make fire and to construct the wheel. Data and Technology are revolutionizing our lives, apparently irreversibly and with ever-increasing speed. We are even going so far as to achieve immortality by digitalizing our ego, our id. This situation, this “DataWorld” is the overriding theme of all my current works. They are artistic frameworks to arouse, to awaken and to address the challenges we face now and ahead.

Website https://www.temelnal.de

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