The Tortoise Trainer

The painting by Osman Hamdi Bey, The Tortoise Trainer (1907), featuring an anachronistic figure attempting to train tortoises, is commonly perceived as a satire of the slow and ineffective efforts to reform the Ottoman Empire, and as a representation of those who resist progress. This pastiche of his painting stems from my admiration for Osman Hamdi Bey, who sought to unite the East and the West through modernization.

This reinterpretation reflects my ongoing commitment to practicing art with a critical perspective. Through sculpture, I aspire to advocate for freedom of expression and to challenge societal ignorance and prejudice. By reinterpreting this iconic work, I aim not only to pay tribute to a pioneering artist but also to continue his legacy by using art as a means to provoke thought and encourage change in our contemporary society.