2008 Woodie Awards
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: MUSTAFA SAKARYA
Courtney Allen
Issue date: 3/15/05 Section: Entertainment
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The Impact: Who are you?
MS: I'm a librarian and an artist. I'm 41-years old. I was born and raised in the United States. My background is Turkish, and I grew up all across this country - Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Illinois, New Jersey and New York.
The Impact: When did you first take an interest in art?
MS: I didn't really know it was art. We moved around a lot; I was never able to have a stable friendship with anyone. I had to rely on myself for entertainment. Having the background that I have, and my name, made me feel separate from people. I developed a fantasy life. I would lie in my bed and daydream a lot, creating characters and home movies in my head. The process of my "mental fantasy" has never stopped. I continue it until this day. It's an escape for me. As I became older and more mature, the art changed - it became more disciplined.
The Impact: What's the meaning behind your art?
MS: The strangeness of being alive and the surreal strangeness of existence, and trying to convey that to my audience.
The Impact: What kind of style do you have in art?
MS: I do so many creative things like write poetry, paint, and draw, plus make films and videos. So as far as style, with the poetry it's very formalistic and symbolic. My drawings are a bridge between expressionism ands surrealism. My films are very surrealistic in nature.
The Impact: What do you like to draw and paint?
MS: The human figure, but distorted. Plus, landscapes and the outside environment.
The Impact: Tell us about your recent art show.
MS: It was called "Crypto Psychography" and I made it up myself, and it relates to the strangeness of the mind. There were five artists; each representing aspects of the mind's inner workings. My friends and local people from Tarrytown came.
The Impact: Were you pleased with the outcome?
MS: This was my second show. The first one had more of a turn out, and so I was disappointed. I guess at first they were curious but the novelty has worn off. Now my job is to make it more interesting for people.
The Impact: Where are you shows held?
MS: In my "Tin Garage". It's a 100 year-old structure original with antique molding, turned into a gallery where everywhere is silver. I think that this space is the only suburban space of its kind in Westchester.
The Impact: Did you do any thing special in your art show?
MS: I involve children. I created a huge easel and had kids contribute drawings on it, and it was very successful.
The Impact: What are you future plans?
MS: I am uncertain of where the next show will be, but I know it's going to be more of a performance. Possibly in the spring.
For more information about Sakarya's art, contact msakarya@mercy.edu on the web.
- Interview by Courtney Allen
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