The Poetic Balance of Line and Stain: Ömer Koçağ’s “Kağıt İşler” Exhibition at Evrim Art Gallery

On Istanbul’s Asian side, along the ever-vibrant yet culturally rich Bağdat Avenue, a brand-new stop has opened. Today is Monday, 2 February — one of the calmest and most productive days to begin the week with art. Contemporary art’s sincere and authentic voice, Ömer Koçağ, invites us to the purity of paper and the nobility of ink with his exhibition “Kağıt İşler,” which opened its doors last Saturday (31 January).

The Poetic Balance of Acrylic and Ink: 27 Works

This selection of 27 pieces, distilled from Ömer Koçağ’s recent production, is a true oasis for those seeking the hidden power within simplicity. The world he constructs on paper using acrylic paint and ink pen is, in essence, an intimate dialogue built with the rawest state of the materials.

The artist shares his excitement about the series with these words:

“I am thrilled to present 27 works produced using acrylic paint and ink pen to art lovers. Reuniting with the audience through this selection that brings together my recent works brings me great joy.”

The “Alaylı” Harmony of Line and Stain

Betül Ketenci, founder of Evrim Art Gallery, describes the exhibition as a space where the artist “brings line and stain into balanced harmony.” Koçağ’s liberated use of ink establishes a delicate equilibrium between the white void of the paper and the textured weight of the paint.

What Awaits You in the Exhibition?

• Sensory Impact: Layered stain transitions that touch the viewer’s inner world.
• Contemporary Language: Traditional ink technique reinterpreted through the artistic vision of 2026.
• Inner Journey: Rhythmic and free lines that make the artist’s personal world visible.

If you’re planning a deep art tour in the heart of Kadıköy, be sure to add this exhibition — running until 18 February — to your calendar.

Apartment No:26 Note

Ömer Koçağ’s “Kağıt İşler” proves that great stories can be told on the humble surface of paper, in contrast to large-scale, noisy productions. Climbing to the second floor of this gallery in Ergun Apartmanı feels like momentarily stepping away from the crowds of Bağdat Avenue and taking refuge in the artist’s serene lines. You still have time until 18 February, but we recommend not waiting too long to experience this “poetry on paper.”