معرفی
Can Özal is an Assistant Professor in the Sculpture Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Trakya University, a position he has held since August 2019. His academic work bridges traditional sculptural practices with experimental material research, focusing on temporal and contextual dimensions in spatial art forms.
His educational trajectory includes:
- High School graduation (1997)
- Bachelor's degree in Sculpture from Mimar Sinan University Faculty of Fine Arts (2002)
- Master's degree in Sculpture from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (2005), thesis: "The usage of magnet in sculpture as an alternative material"
- Doctoral degree in Sculpture from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (2017), thesis: "Movement in sculpture in the sense of contextual time lapses"
Özal's research centers on material innovation and time-based perception in sculpture, investigating how unconventional substances like magnets redefine form and how temporal shifts alter spatial meaning. His work integrates conceptual frameworks with technical experimentation, particularly in pneumatic and kinetic installations, reflecting a sustained exploration of sculpture's evolving relationship with physical context and viewer interaction.
His recent exhibition history (2019-2022) reveals consistent engagement with site-specific installations and material transformation, notably in projects like "Balkan Exhibitions II" and "FUSION". These works demonstrate recurring themes of communal artistic dialogue, spatial monologue, and pandemic-era inspiration, while maintaining technical rigor in stone, wood, and mixed-media sculptural practices.
His scientific recognition includes:
- Efes Pilsen Model and Object Competition Honorable Mention (2006)
- TJK 6th Traditional Painting Competition 3rd Prize (2004)
- Sakip Sabanci Art Awards (2002)
- 63rd State Painting and Sculpture Competition Achievement Award (2002)
While no formal doctoral students are documented, Özal actively mentors through departmental workshops and exhibition projects. His infrastructure initiatives—such as equipping Trakya University's sculpture studios with pneumatic tools—demonstrate commitment to advancing technical resources for material experimentation, suggesting ongoing project-based funding streams for workshop development.
Özal's laboratory contributions focus on the Sculpture Department's stone and wood workshops at Trakya University, where he spearheaded the integration of pneumatic systems and electrical tool upgrades. These enhancements support his research trajectory in kinetic sculpture while providing students with advanced technical capabilities for material innovation.