Born on 1982, in Iran, Banu Anka is a painter known for her unique blend of hyperrealism and abstraction. She received her BFA in Painting from Tehran University of Art in 2009, followed by studies in Painting and Art History at Toronto ACS Academy in 2013. Anka completed her MFA in Painting at Yeditepe University in 2018, under the supervision of Ergin İnan. Her art is characterized by detailed representations, especially of faces, with a focus on expressive eyes that convey deep emotional intensity. She contrasts this realism with abstract forms that introduce a sense of ambiguity and open interpretation.
Anka’s work captures emotions through precise detail, particularly emphasizing the gaze. The figures she paints are often accompanied by abstract elements, inviting the viewer to reflect on the contrast between the clarity of human expression and the complexity of emotions. Her technique reflects her interest in themes of identity, perception, and the unseen aspects of personal experience. Since moving from Iran to Istanbul in 2013, Anka has further developed her artistic voice within a new cultural landscape.
Since 2009, Anka has exhibited in various solo and group shows, beginning in Tehran and
expanding internationally. In 2015, she won the Art for Peace Festival Award in Iran, further
solidifying her presence in the art world. She continues to live and work in Istanbul, where her distinctive style has earned critical recognition, with exhibitions across Tehran and Istanbul drawing attention to her unique approach to combining hyperrealistic detail with abstract forms.