Saime Yadigar was born in Istanbul in 1967. In January 1992, he graduated from Mimar Sinan University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Painting, from the studio of Özdemir Altan. Alongside Özdemir Altan, he studied under prominent faculty members such as Güngör Taner, Gökhan Anlağan, Zekai Ormancı, Cihat Aral, Fuat Acaroğlu, Kemal İskender, Özer Kabaş, and Mustafa Ata. He also took lessons in traditional Turkish paper marbling (ebru) from Ayla Makas at the Caferağa Medrese. He has executed and conceptualized numerous mural paintings and projects. Yadigar is a founding member of the KSANT-İST association, which specializes in mural arts. He is also one of the founders of the “Güneşe Resim” (Painting towards the Sun) art group, participating in a vast number of the group’s exhibitions and festivals. Additionally, he served on the board of directors of the Modern-İst Association, taking an active role in their exhibition organizing committees. His artistic practice extends into the streets, having participated in various live painting events at public spaces and festivals, as well as interior restoration projects. His art essays, interviews, and short stories have been featured in multiple journals and newspapers, and he has also worked as a book illustrator.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2001 Witnessings (Tanıklıklar) / Solo Painting Exhibition / Eğitim Sen 3rd Branch – Istanbul
2004 Press Museum Solo Painting Exhibition / Istanbul
2005 Tünel Street Festival / Studio Solo Exhibition – Galata / Istanbul
2006 Club Arora Art Gallery / 4th Solo Exhibition – Kadıköy / Istanbul
2023 Beyoğlu Tarık Zafer Tunaya Cultural Center / Istanbul
SELECTED FESTIVALS & FAIRS
2003 Güneşe Resim Group / TÜYAP Art Festival Exhibition
2005 Tünel Street Festival Exhibition
2006 Barışa Rock (Rock for Peace) Festival / Workshop with Güneşe Resim Group
2006 Cappadocia Mustafapaşa Modern Art Festival / Exhibition & Workshop
2007 Altınoluk Antandros “Respect for Life” Festival / Exhibition & Workshop
2012–2013 Genç Sokak (Young Street) Festival / Large-Scale Mural Painting & Art Exhibition
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1997–2001 Annually organized and participated in the Educators’ Group Art Exhibitions
2005–2012 Annually participated in Gallery X’s “October Parade” (Ekim Geçidi) Exhibitions
2005 Taksim Art Gallery / Group Exhibition of 4 Painters
2019 “Hello to Autumn” Educators’ Painting Exhibition – Eğitim-Sen
2021 March 8, “Art of Painting Through the Eyes of Women”
2023 August, Antik Urla Art Izmir “Awakening” (Uyanış) Exhibition
2024 February, Autumn (Güz) Exhibition