LAYERS of the FREUDIAN MIND (2020)
Mixed-Media on 3 canvases
EMERGENCE (2020)
Acrylic on 2 canvases
ASCENT (1989)
Acrylic on 4 canvases
DETAIL for ASCENT
ABYSS (1989)
Acrylic on 5 canvases
APOCALYPSE (1990)
Acrylic on 3 canvases
DETAIL for APOCALYPSE
KISS CHRIST (1988)
Mixed-Media on 2 canvases
In KISS CHRIST, I tried to create a more representative and respectful artistic-image for Christ: 2 lips in profile, touching lovingly and forming the image of a CROSS. I thought a loving kiss should envelope Christ, not piss. And, I still do.
In this painting, I had cut out the small surface-area between the kissing lips on the front-canvas, revealing the surface beneath (a smaller canvas of black velvet).
THE GAZE (2005)
Acrylic on 2 canvases
FLAG BURNING (2017)
Acrylic on 2 canvases
It’s estimated that currently 1 in every 15 African-American men is in prison. 1 in 3 can expect to go to prison in his lifetime. The number of incarcerated African-American women is rising alarmingly, as well.
Building and running new prisons, to meet the growing demand, is now a very lucrative business, conducted more and more by the private sector.
Instead of building schools, job-retraining centers, child care centers, health clinics, affordable housing, we keep building prisons.
Tragic, shameful and unacceptable!
What are the chances of a young African-American person who did some prison time to be able to get back to society in a productive manner? Wouldn’t he/she most likely be condemned to chronic joblessness, especially in this shaky economy?
Let’s stop talking about building walls to keep illegal immigrants out. Let’s tear down the walls that keep the young, underprivileged American citizens incarcerated forever in their own country that their ancestors helped to build with their sweat and blood!
During the social protests of the past decades, burning the American Flag was quite common, a conduct I would never condone and practice, myself. Yet, I believe, to do so should continue to be part of our freedom of expression, protected by the Constitution. Some of our politicians believe otherwise and want to send those who burn the American Flag to prison. Well, with all due respect, I have news for you:
The American Flag is already burning!
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*Video-Animation by Norm Badillo.
SINS of the FATHERS (2020)
Acrylic on 3 canvases
LIGHT at the End of the Tunnel (2020)
Sometimes, it only seems far away.
Acrylic on 7 canvases
Side-View of the same painting:
INLIGHTENMENT: A Self-Portrait (2020)
Acrylic on 3 canvases
With the INNER-LIGHT On:
6 feet (2020)
Acrylic on 2 canvases
THE UNIFORM (2020)
They’re gonna like the way you look!
Acrylic on 3 canvases
SERENEGETIT? (2021)
Acrylic on 4 canvases
THE BREAKOUT (2021)
Mixed-Media on 2 canvases
RIPPLE (2021)
Acrylic on 4 canvases
Young, Poor, Prolific PICASSO (2021)
Acrylic on 2 canvases
In this Layerist-painting, it’s imagined that in his early days, Pablo Picasso painted on the back-side of his canvases too, in order to save money on the canvases.
What else could he have been trying to save?
A) Face?
B) Reputation?
C) His Soul?
What do you think?
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Front-Side of his canvas, Picasso is in the process of painting:
“Les Demoiselles d’Avignon”
Back-Side of the same canvas, he is in the process of painting:
“Child Holding A Dove”
CUSTOMIZE a PORTRAIT
Would you like one?
I’ll paint or draw a Portrait of your choosing on a small Canvas (12×9”).
Will cut out a rectangle on the canvas through which you can see the other side (like the one shown in the Photos here).
Then, I’ll sign, date and mail it to you.
It’ll be a Functional “Layerist Art” by me that you’ll own.
While you enjoy the Portrait, you can also watch anything you’d like through it.
For example:
1) A VIDEO on a screen.
2) A Photograph.
3) Whatever else you choose.
How to acquire one?
You can email me a digital Photo of the Portrait you’d like me to paint or draw on the Canvas (including your own portrait).
You’ll need to pay, online, before I start the painting process.
If interested, please email me and we will discuss the details further, including the price.
EMAIL: celik.kayalar10@yahoo.com
“Layerism is an amazing invention in Modern Art by Celik Kayalar”
~Prof. PETER SELZ (1919-2019)
Esteemed Modern Art Historian,
Prof. at UC Berkeley; Founding-Director of the Berkeley Art Museum.
More Artwork at:
www.celik-kayalar.com
PHOTOS
Functional “Layerist Art” by Celik Kayalar. A protoype.
1) Canvas with a portrait, placed up against a computer screen.
2) With a video of a scene playing from “The Traffick”, written, directed, and produced by me.
CUSTOMIZE a PORTRAIT:
Mixed-Media on 2 canvases.
“Shut Up and Show Us Your…”
Mixed-Media on 2 Canvases
Acrylic on 2 Canvases
Mixed-Media on 2 Canvases
White Acrylic on 2 Canvases
Dimensions 14×11″
VIDEO (12 Sec)
Without, and then with the LIGHT, as we get closer.
When the painting is hung over a black background: 
Looks like one can influence and change what one fades out to: By choosing the background one hangs the painting over.
Is this an example of the Viewer (the owner of the painting; gallery/museum curator…) being able to literally change the painting, without ever using any paint? Is the Viewer now an artist, and not just a passive observer?
Lets PHILOSOPHIZE a bit 
Is this a metaphor for real LIFE…. and, DEATH?
At least as far as our beliefs and actions during life are concerned? That is:
Can death be a disappearance into a black hole? Or into light? Depending on what we believe in?
Acrylic on 2 Layers
PEACE NOW 
In Solidarity with Ukraine 
$50 per print (signed and numbered: total limited to 200 prints)
Money goes to the Ukrainian Children’s Charity: voices.org.ua
Celik Kayalar’s LAYERISM on Big Screen & Canvas
Celik Kayalar 