site.btaBulgarian Art Shines in Faruk Pehlivanli’s Collection

The journey of every artist and sculptor inevitably involves exhibitions and the discerning eye of collectors. When exceptional talent is met with recognition, the artist’s role becomes clear — to inspire. In Turkiye, that path of inspiration often leads through the collection of Faruk Pehlivanli. In an interview with BTA, he reflects on the beginning of this journey 37 years ago, when he and his wife, artist Aynur Pehlivanli, established their first gallery, Armoni (Harmony), in Ankara. By showcasing a wide range of artists, they began to build what would become a significant and growing art collection. Since then, works by Bulgarian artists such as Vezhdi Rashidov, Zahari Kamenov, and Georgi Lechev have held a significant place among the nearly 700 paintings and sculptures they have acquired.

“We founded our first gallery, Armoni, in 1988 together with a very close friend of ours, Zerrin Cholak. For 37 years now, the gallery has been part of Turkiye’s cultural scene, and that’s not easy. Eleven years ago, we also opened a second gallery Platform A, which is now run by my daughter, Elif,” Pehlivanli said.

The works of Kayihan Keskinok, a doyen of Turkish visual art, now proudly displayed at the Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum as well as in the Turkish Parliament, were among the first acquisitions of Faruk and Aynur Pehlivanli. Another prominent artist in their collection is Nuri Abac, known for his fantastical imagery. Over time, the family began purchasing artworks from every exhibition held in their galleries. In addition, they started taking and presenting the spirit and meaning of their gallery to other cultural capitals.

“In the 1990s, we did something that no one else could, mostly for financial reasons. All the exhibitions we organized abroad had no support from the State, we started with London. The only thing we did at those shows was invite the Turkish ambassador in the respective country to attend,” Pehlivanli says. “We held exhibitions in London, Washington, New York, Paris, Damascus, Beirut, and the Netherlands. We always participated in the major art shows in Turkiye. We weren’t the type of gallery owners who only worked within their own gallery. We tried to promote the artists we worked with around the world,” Pehlivanli added.

He and his daughter Elif were also behind Vezhdi Rashidov’s recent exhibition in Bodrum, titled Blue. The great interest in the watercolours, which sold out at the exhibition’s opening, is one example of how their gallery actively supports the artists it represents.

“If I look back, maybe one of the first sculptures in my collection was by Vezhdi. In the early 1990s, he came to our gallery with Zahari Kamenov, accompanied by another friend of mine, a diplomat. My wife called me to say that two Bulgarian artists had come by, she had quickly made their acquaintance, and suggested we invite them to dinner. That’s how our long-standing friendship began. In addition to the works of Vezhdi Rashidov and Zahari Kamenov, I must also mention those of the late Georgi Lechev, whose paintings are also part of my collection,” the collector said.

Friendship is one of the main reasons Faruk Pehlivanli often visits Bulgaria and feels a deep affection for the country.

“Whenever I visited Bulgaria, I always sought out opportunities to meet Bulgarian artists. I would say that the level of art in Bulgaria is quite high. Moreover, my wife Aynur held four solo exhibitions in the country, in Sofia and Varna. Her art was very well received, and that made me feel proud. For all these reasons, when I come to Bulgaria, I feel at home,” Pehlivanli added.

The two galleries that he now continues to develop with his daughter have different concepts. Armony showcases established artists, while Platform A supports young talent. Some of the artworks can be seen in Faruk Pehlivanli’s office, where, as he says, conversations about art, sparked when guests notice the pieces, help him better understand his business partners. Paintings and sculptures also adorn the homes of his son and daughter, because for their family, art is a way of life.