Kenan Yontunç
Kenan Yontunç | |
|---|---|
Atatürk sculptures | |
| Spouse | Feriha Sevüktekin |
Kenan Yontunç (1904–1995) was a Turkish sculptor.
Life
Ahmet Kenan Yontunç was born in
Surname Law
, he chose the name Yontunç ("sculptor").
He was married to Feriha, the daughter of Kâzım Sevüktekin, a general of the Turkish War of Independence.[1]
Works
In 1927 he created his first
Atatürk, the founder of Turkish Republic. He continued to create other sculptures of Atatürk. He was specialized in Atatürk sculptures and busts, partially because he was an acquaintance of Atatürk. In many Turkish cities such as Amasya, Tekirdağ, Kırklareli, Çorum, Edirne, Silifke, Elazığ, Isparta, Kastamonu, Mersin, Kayseri and Tarsus the Atatürk monuments in the main meeting squares of the city have been created by Yontunç.[2]
One of his most notable busts is Atatürk's mask created just after the death of Atatürk in 1938. This mask became very popular and copies of it were sold nationwide.
In the 1940s, he also created a number of sculptures of İsmet İnönü the second president of Turkey. In 1950s during the construction of Anıtkabir, he created both the reliefs and the dais.[3]
Trivia
Fashion designer, Eda Taşpınar is Kenan Yontunç's grand-granddaughter.[4]