BY PHIL HUTINET
Nihal Kececi has transformed a once dilapidated two-story brick structure, formerly used as a welding shop, into a work-live space that houses her studio, living quarters and an art gallery. Located just off of H Street NE between the 300 blocks of K and I (eye) Streets NE, the charming alley dwelling opened its first group exhibition Transformation on Thursday, September 11, 2014. For Nihal, the journey to creating her “dream space” followed a crooked path through several countries and a successful career as a scientist before settling into her true passion–painting.
“Unlike many parents, my father encouraged me to go to art school at a young age but I decided to go into science instead” explains Kececi. Born and raised in Turkey, Kececi demonstrated a strong talent for drawing as a child and exhibited work at a young age in her native country. However, she chose to study physics and nuclear engineering eventually leaving her homeland to work on software analysis and safety in Canada.
Now, Kececi has landed just off H street and counts herself among the many artists who live and work in the area. An avid traveler with many international contacts, she plans to show a wide array of international artists not just from her native Turkey but from all over the world. The 1200 square foot gallery doubles as her living space between openings and appointments as Kececi has not set gallery hours.
Pictured above, Kececi’s paintings straddles the line between the intuitive and the analytical as she creates work based on what she sees then intuits these images to produce familiar yet reconstructed streetscapes. Her time on H Street has already influenced her intuitive painting process and, as a result, she has dedicated a series to the street.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.nihalart.com
www.galleryonk.com
kececinihal@yahoo.comGALLERY NK IS LOCATED AT 321 K STREET
Hours are by appointment
(Please remember that this is someone’s home!)
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- The H Street Festival Open House Saturday, September 20 from Noon to 8pm
- Transformation Closing Reception Thursday, October 2 from 5pm to 8pm
