Interview of Renan Kaleli conducted by Norvergence Team

Introduction of Renan
The Istanbul based artist trained in various art studios in Grenoble, France; New York and Miami, USA . In his individualistic style– using mixed media — through paint, photographs, graphics, colors, and forms he intends his art to expand our curiosity and imagination so we better connect, understand and adapt to our ever-changing world.
Questions asked by Our Team to Renan Kaleli
1. Why do you love what you do?
I live and love art, period. It’s how I exist, express and sustain myself.
2. Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as an artist?
Ever since a boy, I constantly made art, even at the tennis club, while waiting for courts to play tennis. There wasn’t a moment when I didn’t make art or a moment when I decided to follow a path as an artist. It just came naturally.
3. Do you have a favorite painting, which inspires you?
Edward Hopper’s realist paintings and prints always excite and inspire me. Both in his urban and rural scenes, Hopper’s spare and finely calculated renderings reflected his personal vision of modern life. This propelled me to capture via light and depict modern life through my paintings, photographs and mixed media art.
4. Have you ever experienced "artist's block?"
Sure there are times, moments when I can’t capture the feeling of painting, to make art akin to when I don’t even want to eat. But those moments pass quickly and I join the living and begin to paint, make art.
5. What are your views on global warming as an artist?
Humans cannot stop innovating, creating which leads to a technologically advanced– energy-intensive way of life for humans that takes a toll on the environment, the animals and the plants which are voiceless and suffer as a result of our man-made environmental disasters. This includes carbon pollution which leads to global warming. However, we are now in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic that spread to humans from bats. The quick spread of the virus around the world has put the breaks on our way of life, with enormous financial repercussions. Hopefully, this incident serves as a wake-up call, so we start living in a more environmentally respectful way, in harmony with the animals as well as plants. In balance.