BIOGRAPHY

Safa Bute, like his work, has inspired respect and admiration as he emerged from the obscurity of humble beginnings to become one of the most widely recognized and beloved artists in his homeland, Turkey. In the summer of 1987, Bute emerged as an artist and created the art technique now known throughout Turkey as the “Safa Bute Style”.
Although Bute was unable to pursue the educational path he dreamed of as a child, he created a new style of art that has been the subject of increasing interest all over the world, as collectors in Europe and the USA follow his marks. Art critics reviewing exhibits agree that the style is unique.
Now he is creating his art works at his studios located in Adana City and Tyana.

AWARDS AND HONORS

2006, Honorary Member of Cultural Association Terra Dell´Arte in Italy

2005, Member of the Artistic Committee of the International Arad Biennale of Contemporary Art in Romania.

2003, 4th award winner of the International Florence Biennale of Contemporary Art in Italy.

2001, 2000 WAIS People Choice Award Winner at the “Ten Top World Artists Invitational Show” organized by Artists Own Registry in Australia.

1999 Nominated to the Time Magazine online poll in the category of Most Influential Artist of the 20th Century

1998 Featured artist at ArtQuest in USA

EXHIBITIONS AND ART EVENTS

Art Gallery Ripustus, Hameelinna Finland 27 Oct 30 Dec 2005
The 1902 OCAF Art Center Art Gallery – Georgia USA – 02 Oct 12 Nov 2005
Salonul De Toamna – Galleriile INTER-ART Aiud – Romania 16-19 Oct 2005
Urla Quarantine Island International Fine Arts Symposium – 23 Sep 02 Oct 2005
3. Safa Bute’s Live Performance Art Event – Adana – 08 May 2005
Porto Recenaty Contemporary Arts Gallery – Italya – 11-26 Sep 2004
2. Safa Bute’s Live Performance Art Event – Adana – 02 May 2004
1. Safa Bute’s Live Performance Art Event – Adana – 04 Feb 07 Mar 2004
4. Florence Biennale – Italy – 06-15 Dec 2003
Yapi Kredi Kemalsatir Art Gallery – Adana – 08-30 Apr 1999
Akbank Beylerbeyi Art Gallery – Istanbul – 15 Apr 04 May 1998
Akbank Kizilay Art Gallery – Ankara – 17 Feb 06 Mar 1997
Akbank Bursa Art Gallery – Bursa – Apr May 1996
Icel Art Clup Art Gallery – Mersin – 21 Sep 07 Oct 1995
Akbank Adana Art Gallery – Adana – 10-27 Jan 1995
Akbank Cankaya Art Gallery – Ankara – 15-30 Dec 1993
Akbank Koprubasi Art Gallery – Eskisehir – 26 Oct 12 Nov 1993
ACS Art Gallery – Adana – 24 Sep 02 Oct 1993
Akbank Trabzon Art Gallery – Trabzon – 30 Apr 18 May 1993
Akbank Isparta Art Gallery – Isparta – 17 Feb 05 Mar 1993
Yapi Kredi Setbasi Art Gallery – Bursa – 18 Oct 13 Nov 1992
Akbank Ordu Art Gallery – Ordu – 17 Apr 08 May 1992
Adana Municipality Art Gallery – Adana – 08-12 Apr 1992
Akbank Denizli Art Gallery – Denizli – 21 Jan 07 Feb 1992
Yapi Kredi Mustafabey Art Gallery – Izmir – 18 Sept – 08 Oct 1991
Yapi Kredi Ofis Art Gallery – Diyarbakir – Apr 1991
Sivas State Fine Art Gallery – Sivas - Jan Feb 1991
Yapi Kredi Balikesir Art Gallery – Balikesir - Dec 1990
Akbank Adana Art Gallery – Adana - 08-25May 1990

CRITIQUE OF SAFA BUTE’S ART,
By JOHN T. SPIKE, Art Critic and Historian

December 10th 2003 at Florence Biennale of Contemporary Art

“These pieces remind me of sacred works that were formerly kept in museums in drawer compartments. Such works would be taken out by scholars on occasions to be studied and meditated upon with increasing respect.

“These drawings have an incredible level of skill. Literally thousands and thousands of finely drawn lines make up each image”, (Mr. Spike then pointed to his personal favourite piece and said to the audience)…”it probably contains ten thousand lines.”

“These are drawings which take an inordinate amount of time to complete, and crucially, are utterly dependent upon the complete finesse in creating the lines without a single error.

“The pieces show an astounding control of tonal values through the skillfull use of line. (Mr Spike demonstrated his point by pointing to the gradations in one of the works).

“I consider them very exceptional pieces of work and will return to study them again”.