Mustafa Gunen's seascape paintings submerge the viewer in an aquatic euphoria not seen since 19th Century artist Théodore Géricault painted his historic "Raft of the Medusa". While his paintings range from calm, soothing seas to tumultuous nautical storms, his demonstrative use of light and shadow enrapture the viewer within the mysteries of the sea. Born in Kirsehir, a small mid-Anatolian town of Turkey, Gunen is a self-taught craftsman. He began painting his beloved "picture stories" at a very young age, but subsequently turned to furniture making as an outlet for his skill. His two loves merged after he was initially inspired by Peter Ellenshaw, the 50s-era award-winning seascape/landscape animator. He began by painting his own dreamscapes on his furniture pieces, but soon moved to working with oils on canvas directly. Using a spare palette of black, white, yellow, red and navy blue, Gunen renders picture perfect oceanic dreams.
Gunen's paintings can be found in collections across Europe, as well as among the private holdings of Nevzat Boztas. His hope is to become the Ellenshaw of his generation, the artist who brings the inscrutability of the ocean to life and mystifies every viewer with his maritime fantasies
