Tired Earth: An Interview with Renan Kaleli, Artist

This interview was conducted by Selva Ozelli

What are you working on now?

During the pandemic, I have been making new mixed media art work – portraits and landscapes - with oil paint and photographs.  

Based on my new paintings, I launched month-long new art shows at the United Nations Habitat for Urban October which began on World Habitat Day on October 4^th and ended on World Cities Day on October 31^st when United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) began¹:

United Nations Habitat Urban October 1: https://ubiverse.org/posts/renan-kalelis-urban-october-art-show

United Nations Habitat Urban October 2: https://ubiverse.org/posts/renan-kalelis-art-show-for-urban-october

How has this year been so far, what worked well, what didn’t move as quickly as you would have liked?

This year is better than last year but we are still trying to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, which has been a wakeup call. There have been many climate change related environmental calamities to contend with around the world. For example, this past summer, Turkey had its worst wild fires, as well as sea mucilage problem, which has been fueling my desire to make new art.

What do you hope to express in your latest “Winds of Fire” art show?

I am painting abstract oil paintings as well as mixed media art work based on the unprecedented wild fires of Turkey and hope to draw attention to climate change which is warming our earth absent adherence to the Paris Agreement. I hope the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) is successful for our World.

What are your plans for the future?

I have art exhibits planed in galleries in Istanbul, as well as online exhibitions, where you will be able to see my latest climate change art.

How can people find out more about what you are working on?

Website: Renan Kaleli

Instagram: ReNaN®

Twitter: @ReNaNKaLeLi

TALENTHOUSE: www.talenthouse.com/renan-kaleli

Facebook: @renankaleli

1. https://urbanoctober.unhabitat.org/event/art-show-urban-october-renan-kaleli