Sed Kaya

Sed Kaya was born in the exotic, Turkish Mediterranean resort city of Antalya. This historical ancient city and its environment influenced his paintings. By the age of fifteen he was working as a comic strip artist for numerous popular magazines in Istanbul, Turkey and had his first solo exhibition in Germany. Although he was well known in his field at eighteen he traveled to Germany to study at the Hamburg Academy of Visual Arts. He graduated in 1983 with a BFA and remained at school as an instructor for a year while also working as a cover artist for the Stella & Duval Publishing Group. In 1983, his western book covers caught the attention of Italy's Sergio Bonelli who commissioned Sed to do comics for the Italian Spaghetti Westerns of the '60's.

Upon returning to his homeland, Sed continued his work as a poster and comic book artist for the government owned publishing companies and the Turkish Cultural Ministry. This led to several opportunities with greeting card companies in Turkey for exotic, historical postcards and also mural commissions. His exotic Mediterranean paintings started gaining attention and he has displayed in major galleries in Turkey, Russia, Germany, Romania and Poland. Because of his success, Sed embraced other opportunities and worked as a DJ and showman for U.S. affiliated station KISS FM Istanbul.

Sed worked in the U.S. as a political cartoonist for the Providence RI and as a cover artist for Ejag News Magazine in the early 1990's. He has returned to the U.S. to promote his latest art creations. His recent commissions include Trompe Loeil and mural art for several hotel renovations in Naples and Orlando, FL and also residential homes.

He has entered 35 Juried shows internationally and has won or placed in 29 of these shows. His personal gallery; Sed Kaya Dream & Reality Gallery, is located in Istanbul, Turkey. His artwork is available for purchase at his www.sedkaya.com website. He has returned to the U.S to promote his latest art creations.

Awards

• Chosen for CD cover of Italian Western soundtrack of Ennio Morricone (composer) in 38 Country entry competition (1984)
• International Art Festival 2000 Antalya, Turkey ~ First Place
• International Art Festival 2001 Frankfurt, Germany ~ First Place
• 2001 Gallery Istanbul, Turkey ~ First Place
• Lake Worth Art League, FL 2003~ Honorable mention
• Entered 35 Juried shows internationally ~ Won or placed in 29

Publications

• Western Paperback book covers for German publishing group Stella & Duval (1983)
• Western comic books for Editor Sergio Bonelli in Milan, Italy (1983-86)
• Chosen for CD cover of Italian Western soundtrack of Ennio Morricone (composer) in 38 Country entry competition (1984)
• Mediterranean marine posters for St. Petersburg tourism agent in Russia (1987)
• Political cartoon for U.S.A. based Providence, RI newspaper (1988-89)
• Cover artist for the Ejag News (Jaguar enthusiast magazine) 1988-89)
• MTV's "Most Funniest Showman" award (1990)
• Marine art posters and greeting cards for Turkish Agents: Cem Ajans, Gaye Design
  Group (1992-93)
• Historical Comic Books for the Government owned publishing firms (1993)
• Political poster for the Turkish Cultural Ministry (1995)

Exhibitions

• Moscow, Russia (1987)
• Kiev, Russia (1987)
• Warsaw, Poland (1990)
• Istanbul, Turkey (1990-1999)
• Antalya, Turkey (2000)
• Dreams & Reality exhibition tour ~ Bucharest, Romania; Warsaw, Poland; Russia; Hamburg, Germany; Istanbul, Turkey (2001-ongoing))
• Lake Worth Art League ~ Lake Worth, Florida (currently)
• Upcoming exhibits March 10th and April 1st ~ Istanbul, Turkey