About Can Maden

Artistic Journey

Born in Istanbul in 1961, I grew up in an artistic household. My father, Sait Maden (1931-2013), was a notable figure in Turkish graphic design, typography, poetry, and translation, known for bridging traditional Ottoman calligraphy with modern design principles. My mother, Ayten Maden, was also a painter and writer. This environment, coupled with my father's interest in Dada and Fluxus, fostered an early inclination towards interdisciplinary thinking and a questioning of rigid artistic boundaries.

After completing my education at Kadıköy Anadolu High School (1972-1980), I earned both my BFA (1984) and MFA (1987) in Painting from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, studying under figures like Prof. Özdemir Altan and Prof. Adnan Çoker. Later, I pursued a Master's in Museum Studies at Yıldız Technical University (completed 1996), writing my thesis on the impact of contemporary art biennials.

Artistic Approach

My artistic evolution spans several phases, from early installation and video work exploring social themes to my current mixed media practice. About 25 years ago, I began using a scanner as an unconventional tool for a therapeutic series of self-portraits, later expanding to digitally manipulate my own drawings and watercolors, "recycling" them into new compositions.

In recent works, like the "Minyatür Manzara" (Miniature Landscape) and "Sis" (Mist) series, I combine watercolor, ink, drawing pen, collage elements, coffee, and plant extracts to create atmospheric landscapes hovering between representation and abstraction. The use of coffee connects to my earlier video works exploring the tradition of Turkish coffee fortune-telling (kahve falı) as a unique space for female storytelling.

Educational Career

Parallel to my artistic practice, I've built a career in art education spanning over three decades. My longest tenure was at Istanbul's Robert College (1997–2007), where I taught Studio Art, Art History, and Contemporary Art. I've also served as Head of Art Department at several institutions and as Head of Education and Social Projects at the Istanbul Modern Art Museum (2007), designing art activities for children and collaborating with biennial artists.