Artist Nazife Bilgin Hazar, who has been reflecting the paintings of world-famous figures on the walls of apartments in the Toroslar district of Mersin province as part of the "External Wall Arrangement Project on Avenues, Streets and Roads," finished painting Osman Hamdi Bey's "Carpet Seller" in one month. Hazar will soon begin beautifying the external walls of the 34-year-old buildings on Akbelen Avenue within the context of the project by the Toroslar Municipality, while she has already reflected the works of renowned artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Neşet Günal and Salvador Dali; this process of reproduction should take seven months. While the works attracted the attention of the public, their fame has spread through the country and even won recognition from abroad. Having painted 13 works on the walls to date, Hazar lastly added Osman Hamdi Bey's "Carpet Seller" in her collection as the 14th painting after working on it for one month.

'My dream project'

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), artist Hazar said she has been painting as part of a project on social responsibility.

Hazar explained that she first started this project on old buildings on Akbelen Avenue from an offer by Toroslar Mayor Hamut Tuna, reporting that her works have received more attention than she expected.

"This attention makes me happy. This was the project that I have dreamed of. Mural painting is the best way of expression," she said. Hazar said people often reach out to her on social media after seeing her works and express their admiration to her. She mentioned that she painted "The Tortoise Trainer" by Osman Hamdi Bey as well as worked on another painting titled "Carpet Seller" by the same artist for Akbelen Avenue.

"Among my works, there are paintings by world-famous figures, such as Osman Hamdi Bey, Pablo Picasso, Neşet Günal and Salvador Dali. Visuality is always more dominant than anything verbal. We live in a world where people aren't equal in educational and economic aspects. A limited part of society can attend art events. I brought art to the public and painted the works that people see on TV, magazines and newspapers," Hazar said. Hazar mentioned that she also paints blinds and flower figures on the walls, adding that she wants to turn the avenue into an open-air gallery within three months.