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Omer Ferdi Sahingil
California Figurative School Berkeley San Francisco Two Figures by Omer Sahingil

1945

$2,120
$2,65020% Off
£1,586.62
£1,983.2720% Off
€1,854.49
€2,318.1120% Off
CA$2,995.72
CA$3,744.6520% Off
A$3,023.93
A$3,779.9220% Off
CHF 1,737.56
CHF 2,171.9520% Off
MX$36,653.73
MX$45,817.1720% Off
NOK 20,111.40
NOK 25,139.2520% Off
SEK 20,542.66
SEK 25,678.3320% Off
DKK 13,862.79
DKK 17,328.4920% Off

About the Item

A commanding monochrome charcoal work, Turkish-American artist Ömer Şahingil (Turkish/American, 1915-1976) delivers a rigorous study of the human physique, cultural identity, and architectural space. Having studied under the influential Asian American artist Chiura Obata at UC Berkeley, Şahingil infuses the composition with a distinct cross-cultural dialogue. The artwork centers on two athletic male figures with clearly defined Asian features, breaking away from traditional Western figurative archetypes.One model stands in the background, leaning casually against a clean doorframe, while the second lounges horizontally in the foreground. Together, they create a compelling tension between passive rest and sculptural presence. Şahingil’s execution relies on sharp, decisive outlines balanced by a masterful manipulation of light and dark. Dramatic tonal contrasts slice through the scene, utilizing deep, velvety black drapery to throw the smoothly blended mid-tones of the figures into high relief. By isolating the East Asian subjects among clean structural lines and deep shadows, the artwork stands as a powerful exploration of form, heritage, and the stark beauty of the human silhouette. Signed n verso "Ferdi Sahingil (circa 1945) 24.5"H x 19"W Charcoal on paper Omer Ferdi Sahingil. Sahingil moved from Turkey to California to study architecture at UC Berkeley in the early 1940s, residing at the university's International House. His background seamlessly bridged fine printmaking, drafting, and architecture. Omer Ferdi Şahingil (often stylized as Ferdi Sahingil in Western publications) was a 20th-century modernist architect who contributed to Mid-Century Modern architecture through commercial concept design and multi-family residential planning in California. Şahingil emerged in the American architectural consciousness during the height of World War II. His early work leaned into ambitious, large-scale civic and commercial infrastructure: San Francisco World Trade Center Proposal (1944): One of Şahingil's earliest and most lauded achievements was his submission for the proposed San Francisco World Trade Center. April 1944 issue of Architect and Engineer, his blueprint was highly commended for its "excellent composition of office building blocks". By the 1960s, Şahingil shifted his focus toward California’s booming post-war residential expansion. He adapted International Style principles into cozy, highly marketable multi-family developments tailored to West Coast indoor-outdoor living:The "Park Lanai" Apartments (1961): Şahingil designed the "Park Lanai" apartment complex, which earned national recognition when it was profiled in the August 1961 issue of American Builder.
  • Creator:
    Omer Ferdi Sahingil (1915 - 1976, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1945
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 0.25 in (6.35 mm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Some age toning to paper and small corner folds. New acid free mat.
  • Gallery Location:
    Soquel, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: RJA101531stDibs: LU54218223622

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