Hale Asaf was a female Turkish artist who had an incredibly interesting take on cubism, taking inspiration from classical and still life. Born in Istanbul in 1905, she was the father President of the Ottoman Court of Appeals, and was born to incredible privilege, attending a private high school and learning to speak French and English. Due to a serious injury developed during her infancy, she would have constant health issues throughout her life
She originally studied painting with her Aunt while in Rome before studying in Paris, and way later at the Prussian Academy of Arts Turkish School of Fine Arts. By this point, she was being published in magizines for her portraits, and they are truly worth the attention.
She would later show at The Galatasaray Exhibition, an important show for upcoming artists of the time. She would move to Bursa where she took a job teaching a girls school, and would grow disillusioned with the culture there, especially after members of the community outright said to her face they didn’t like her work. She would move back to Paris where she would later die of cancer in 1938.
Her cubist portraits stand out as it strikes a great balance between the more abstract cubist feel and the real feel of classical still life. It’s distinct, bold and unique. Even her more abstract, flat and blotchy pieces look very distinct, like this example.
Her work is, in my opinion, unappreciated, unique and incredibly fascinating.