Djochkoun Sami is a contemporary painter currently living and working in the Istanbul, Turkey. Graduate of Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts, Faculty of Painting, Istanbul (BFA, MFA), he is regularly exhibiting at various group shows, illustrated magazines, poetry books, theatre posters. His recent 2022 solo exhibitions were held at Istanbul Concept Gallery, Turkey and Silistra Art Gallery, Bulgaria.
"...Sami's paintings demonstrate a blend of stylistic elements, as he navigates the space between expression and figuration. He often incorporates architectural and historical references into his work, such as abandoned buildings from the recent past, stripped of their context and historical specificity, resulting in anonymous and depoliticized homogeneous spaces. His limited color palette supports his drawing-based process, making visible an effort towards achieving pictorial and formal values. His use of muted, earthy tones creates a sense of timelessness and universality, while his brushwork and mark-making imbue the works with a sense of immediacy and urgency.
Sami's paintings often feature a horizontally-based perception of time, with objects, rocks, organic matter, and voids occupying the same space. The result is a dreamlike, surreal quality that invites the viewer to question their perceptions of reality. His work also frequently features an interplay between light and shadow, further enhancing the sense of otherworldliness. Overall, Djochkoun Sami's paintings defy easy categorization, drawing on a range of artistic traditions and stylistic elements. His ability to blend expression and figuration with historical and architectural references results in paintings that are both haunting and thought-provoking."