Behçet Gürcan (1918 - 2001) Click for Artist Information

Behçet Gürcan

Behçet Gürcan Biography (28.06.1918-02.06.2001)

Painter Behçet Gürcan was born on 28 June 1918 in Akseki, Antalya. Gürcan, who passed the free boarding exam in 1931 and studied at İzmir Teacher's School, worked as a teacher in Şanlıurfa between 1937-1938 after his education. Gürcan did his military service in 1938 and then worked as a teacher in Antalya for 3 months. During this period, Gürcan, who took part in the ceremonial procession of Atatürk's funeral, made 3 portraits of Atatürk and presented them to the school, since there was no Atatürk painting in the school where he was a teacher. Afterwards, he entered the Painting Department of the Gazi Education Institute in 1940-1941 and was reassigned as a teacher after graduating. Gürcan worked as an art teacher in all schools in Erzurum during the ministry of Hasan Ali Yücel. Returning to Antalya in the following years, the painter continued to teach painting at Antalya High School. Gürcan, who married Zekavet Hanım in 1949, continued to teach at Antalya High School until 1960. Later in his life, he was sent to Italy for a year. During his time in Italy, he studied museums and schools and painted in the cities of Rome, Florence and Naples in his spare time. And he opened an exhibition in Rome. After returning from Italy, he continued to teach painting at Capa Higher Teachers' School Preparatory High School and retired in 1976. Painter Behçet Gürcan, who died on June 2, 2001, had 13 solo and 3 group exhibitions throughout his life.