Sadi Calik "Living In Order to Create Sculpture Where There is None" |
Neoclassic Works
Sadi Calik worked systematically on design between 1932 and 1939 in the Izmir studio of his teacher Abidin Elderoglu. He learned very thoroughly the principles of classic technique and design, composition and balance. In 1939, he began studying Plastic Arts in the Sculpture Section of the Academy of Fine Arts in Istanbul, where classic modelling techniques held sway. In 1940 he obtained his first commission, "Horses Head" and produced many examples of classical busts with great ease of composition and at great speed. His work demonstrated balance and clearness of composition. His craftsmanship shows itself in singular form and clarity of detail. Whether in clay or plaster, he worked very fast, as though simply making a design, but he used swift, sure movements without any fumbling. His work was founded on these principles whether he was making a bust, or "Reclining Woman" for the Izmir International Fair grounds, "Nude" for the Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture, the Symbol of Justice in Giresun or a relief for the Konak Cinema.
He continued to work simultaneously in the style of neo-classic figurative and of non-figurative abstract art until the 1950s. It was mostly his figurative work that was in demand and brought him money. So he turned to the principles of traditional works and compositions with the elements of neoclassicism he knew so well in order to create new ways of expressing these in his sculpture. We see his love of neoclassicism in his later work. In the 1960s the figurative work of his designs and terracotta reliefs show the way forwards from an interpretation of natural form towards the abstract.
Siren Calik
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Bust of Ercument Tarcan, 1940.
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"Atbaslari", ("Horses’ Heads", 1940.
Brass casting.
Zoo in Izmir Fairgrounds.
Sadi Calik's first work.
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Bust of Huseyin Batuhan, 1941.
Photograph only survives. On the reverse, Huseyin Batuhan writes that Sadi Calik did not like the bust and destroyed it.
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Bust of Asaf Halet Çelebi, 1942
Bronze, patinated paint.
MSGSU Museum of Painting and Sculpture Collection
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"Seated at Table" 1944.
Small clay figurines,
Adnan Coker has the only photograph.
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