Bilkent University
Fine Arts Department

Welcome to the Fine Arts Department at Bilkent University, where creativity and innovation are celebrated and nurtured. Our department is recognized as one of the most remarkable and unique in the country, offering students a dynamic and challenging education in the visual arts. Explore our website to learn more about our programs, faculty, facilities, and opportunities, and discover what makes us one of the most interdisciplinary and unique Fine Arts departments in the country. 

APPLICATION INFO

Department Philosophy

At our Fine Arts Department, we believe in fostering a culture of creativity and innovation that embraces the diversity of artistic expression across different media. We recognize that the arts are a dynamic and ever-evolving field, and we strive to provide our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed as artists, designers, educators, and scholars in a rapidly changing world. We value exploration and experimentation, encouraging our students to take risks and push the boundaries of traditional artistic techniques and practices. At the core of our philosophy is the belief that the arts have the power to transform individuals, communities, and society as a whole. We believe that through the creation and appreciation of art, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us and work to effect positive change and make a meaningful impact.

Department Goals

Our department is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive community that values diversity and respects each individual’s unique perspectives. We believe that a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach is essential to the success of our program, and we encourage our students to engage in cross-disciplinary projects and collaborations with other departments and institutions. The intimate learning environment and a more personalized approach to education foster a strong sense of community and encourage a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Our faculty members come from a variety of countries and cultural backgrounds and bring a range of artistic and academic expertise to the classroom, where our students explore different cultural perspectives and artistic traditions. It also helps to broaden their understanding of the global arts community and prepares them for careers in a globalized world. 

Bilkent University Prospective Students

You can visit the below link to learn more information about our university.

Bilkent University Information

Areas
of
Study

Our BA program emphasizes a strong foundation in the traditional fine arts and also encourages students to experiment and explore new media and techniques. Our students have the opportunity to work with a variety of materials and techniques, enabling them to develop their own unique artistic voices. As part of our commitment to providing students with a well-rounded education, we offer a range of courses that explore the historical, cultural, and theoretical aspects of the arts. We also provide opportunities for students to engage in research, exhibitions, and collaborations with other departments and institutions.

CURRICULUM

Drawing

The Fine Arts Department's Drawing Studio courses aim to equip students with fundamental drawing skills and enable them to use this versatile medium for self-expression. Experienced faculty members teach various traditional and experimental techniques to foster students' unique artistic styles. Students work with various materials to develop observation, representation, composition, line, form, and value skills. These courses cater to all levels of expertise, offering personalized attention and feedback to help students grow technically and conceptually. The Drawing Studio courses prioritize drawing as a means of communication and problem-solving, empowering students to express complex ideas and connect with their audiences.

Sculpture

The Sculpture Studio courses offer students a diverse learning experience in three-dimensional art-making. Students are exposed to a range of materials and techniques, from traditional methods such as carving and modeling to contemporary approaches such as assemblage and installation. The faculty members, who are experienced sculptors, provide guidance and support as students explore different forms, materials, and processes to create their sculptures. Students develop technical skills in using hand and power tools, welding and casting, and other essential sculptural techniques. The Sculpture Studio courses emphasize ethical and sustainable practices, collaboration, and public art installations. The courses are open as elective courses to students from all departments within the university.

Printmaking

"The Fine Arts Department offers Printmaking Workshop courses to students from each department and each experience level. In these courses, which include practical and theoretical knowledge, our faculty of experienced artists teach our students techniques such as screen printing, linoleum printing, and etching. In addition, students have the opportunity to experiment with contemporary applications such as digital printing and mixed techniques. This workshop offers students the opportunity to develop their creativity using different tools and materials while gaining practical experience in printing techniques."

Ceramics

The Ceramics Studio courses offer students a unique opportunity to explore the versatile medium of clay. From hand-building to wheel-throwing, glazing to firing, our ceramics courses introduce students to a variety of techniques and materials, including the slab, coils, mold, and pinching techniques. These courses foster a sense of community and exploration, where students can discover their own voice and develop their own style as ceramic artists. We believe that students can benefit from the tactile and expressive nature of ceramics, whether they aspire to become professional ceramic artists or simply want to explore a new form of creative expression.

Art Studio

Arts Studio is a unique course that combines various fields of classical art, allowing Fine Arts students to learn the basics and improve themselves during their study. The fields of fine arts composing the Arts Studio are Ceramics, Mosaic, Painting, Printmaking Techniques, and Sculpture. During the Senior Semester, students can choose the field in which they will carry out their diploma project.

Painting

Our department offers two Painting studio courses designed to provide the students with a strong foundation in painting techniques, color theory, materials, and the history of modern painting. Painting studio courses are open as elective courses to students from all departments within the university. We believe that this interdisciplinary approach encourages the cross-pollination of ideas and fosters a more diverse and inclusive learning environment where students from a variety of disciplines can explore their creative interests, learn new skills, and develop a broader understanding of the arts.

Academic
Staff

Our faculty members are renowned artists, scholars, and educators who are committed to providing our students with a rigorous and engaging curriculum. They bring a wealth of expertise and diverse perspectives to the classroom, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the arts and the tools necessary to succeed in the ever-changing world of contemporary art.

Ercan
Sağlam

Full-time Faculty
Ercan Saglam is a Turkish sculptor and academician who earned his undergraduate degree in Sculpture from the Hacettepe University Faculty of Fine Arts in 1994, after which he completed his Master's degree at the same university in 1997. In 2001, he received his proficiency in art degree. Saglam was the president of the Contemporary Sculptors Association between 2001 and 2003 and has been teaching at Bilkent University since 2001. He received the Ihsan Dogramaci Outstanding Achievement Award in 1994, the Art Institution Award in 1995, and the Popular Science Magazine Art Award in 2007. He also participated in the State Painting and Sculpture Exhibitions in 1993, 1998, and 2005, winning awards on these occasions.

Beata
Zalewska

Full-time Faculty
Beata Zalewska is an accomplished artist and instructor with a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, Poland. She has been teaching various courses in the Department of Fine Arts at Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey, since 2000, including Introduction to Painting, Drawing, Art Studio, and Rendering for Graphic Design. Zalewska has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Poland, Turkey, Germany, the United States, and Georgia. She has also worked as a graphic designer and served as the Coordinator of Education at the Laznia Centre for Contemporary Art in Gdańsk, Poland. Zalewska is a member of the Union of Polish Artists ZPAP.

Ardan
Özmenoğlu

Part-time Faculty
Ardan Özmenoğlu is a contemporary artist being known for her unique style in utilizing various mediums, designs, and content. Since her first exhibition in 2006, her work has featured in over sixty exhibitions in the USA and abroad, including London, Basel, Berlin, Zagreb, Geneva, and Milan. Her works can also be found in important collections internationally, such as the Frankfurt Airport Collection, Osthaus Museum Hagen Collection, the Hort Collection NYC, Kala Art Institute Collection, Borusan Contemporary Art Collection, UniCredit Bank Art Collection, and the Istanbul Modern Museum Collection, amongst others. She received her BA and MFA from Bilkent University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture. Her works mainly consist of site-specific installations, post-it note paintings, and glass sculptures that she creates using original screen-printing techniques on different material surfaces. She was an invited artist in residence at Kala Art Institute, Berkeley, USA; Ateliergemeinschaft Milchhof e.V. Berlin; Frans Masereel Art Center, Belgium; Kulturkontakt Austria, Vienna; Glasstress Murano, Venice and Manhattan Graphics Center, New York.

Dural
Kadıoğlu

Part-time Faculty
Prof. Dr. Kadıoğlu started his education at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine and completed his studies at the Universities of Cambridge and Liverpool in the UK in 1973. Starting his academic career at Liverpool University, Professor Kadıoğlu was inspired by Professor Ronald George Harrison to specialize in anatomy. After working at various institutions in the United States, he moved to the University of Iceland. Kadıoğlu served as the head of the Department of Anatomy at Gazi University, School of Medicine. He currently teaches Drawing and Visual Expressions, ArtisticAnatomy, and Anatomical Figure Drawing at Bilkent Fine Arts Department.

Burçak
Yakıcı

Part-time Faculty
Burçak Yakıcı is an independent curator and art writer, who draws inspiration from her diverse upbringing across different cities; Moscow, Geneva, Ankara, Aleppo, Oslo, and Strasbourg, which shapes her multicultural approach to curating. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Strasbourg specializing in the translation of philosophical texts. Beyond academia, she completed the Curating Contemporary Art Programme at Akbank Sanat-Open Dialogue Istanbul and studied subjects of art at Sotheby’s Institute of Art and Oxford University. She’s been a selected participant in the research project DE.a.RE promoted by the Biennale des Jeunes Créateurs de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée. As the founder of Oasis Curatorial, her diverse projects also include curating exhibitions prioritizing a transdisciplinary perspective.

Elvan
Serin

Part-time Faculty
Elvan Serin received her bachelor's degree from the Department of Fine Arts at Bilkent University in 2009, her master's degree from the Department of Plastic Arts at Yeditepe University in 2013, and her postgraduate degree in Fine Arts from the Department of Sculpture at Hacettepe University in 2021. In 2015, she was awarded the Young Art Project award and has participated in numerous group exhibitions, guest artist programs, and summer schools both domestically and internationally. Some of these include the Nevnesil group exhibition, Mamut Art Project, Galeri Apel group exhibitions, Meleklerin Payı group exhibition, Salzburg Summer Academy, Affect Agora Berlin guest artist program, and the Neumünster Ceramic Artist Program.

Caner
Numan
Seven

Part-time Faculty
Numan Seven was born in Ankara in 1984. In 2006 he graduated from Hacettepe University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Painting. In 2022, he received his master's degree from the Hacettepe University Fine Arts Institute Painting Department. The artist participated in many group exhibitions and held five solo exhibitions in Ankara and Istanbul. The artist has also contributed to the restoration of the paintings of many famous Turkish painters as an assistant restorer. He continues his work in his studio.

Harika Esra
Oskay

Part-time Faculty
H. Esra Oskay received her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Bilkent University in 2005, her Master's degree in Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design from Sabancı University in 2007 and her PhD in Drawing and Painting from the University of Edinburgh in 2014. Since 2015, Oskay has been working as an artist and academic and was awarded theborder_less Book fund in 2020 and the Rotary Art fund in 2021. Working on the relationship between art and scientific research, Oskay was a researcher in the IKSV Istanbul Biennial Study and Research program in 2019 and in the Basis voor Actuele Kunst Situated Practices Fellowship program in 2023.

Hayri
Sengun

Part-time Faculty
Hayri Şengün is a sculptor working in various materials and media. Hayri Şengün graduated from Bilkent University, Department of Fine Arts. He received his master's degree from the Media and Design program of the same university. In his thesis, he focused on the critique of eyecentrism and tactility. In addition to sculpture, he also produces engravings and ceramics and continues his works in his studio.

Yasemin
Gümüş Ağca

Full - Time Faculty
Yasemin Gümüş Ağca has a background in humanities and media and visual studies. She has taught extensively on aesthetics, art, design history, and advertising. She also worked on interna-tional research projects and published her work in scholarly journals. Her research interests in-clude philosophy of art, history of art, methods of analysis, and design history.

Summer
Practices

Fa 290
Summer Practice 1

At our Fine Arts Department, we believe that practical experience is a crucial component of a well-rounded arts education. Students must complete two summer internships in art related institutions. 

DOWNLOAD FA290 PDF

Fa 390
Summer Practice 2

We strongly emphasize the two mandatory summer internships in art institutions like galleries, artist studios, art museums, etc., which allow our students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field and better understand the diverse range of opportunities.

DOWNLOAD FA390 PDF

Contact

Contact Information

We welcome inquiries from prospective students and anyone interested in our programs.

Department of Fine Arts
Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
Bilkent University
Ankara, Turkey 06800

Phone: +90 312 290-2961
E-mail: fa_bilkent [at] bilkent.edu.tr

Links