Biography
Born in Aksaray in 1926, Fikret Otyam graduated from the Higher Painting Department of the Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu Workshop at the former Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts in 1953. After two years of studying with İbrahim Çallı, Otyam began his journalism career during his student years. In the 1950s, he continued his work by illustrating the covers and interiors of books by famous writers and poets, but did not hold exhibitions. In 1953, while serving as the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Dünya Newspaper, his photographic reports from the southeastern and eastern Anatolian provinces, supported by his employer Falih Rıfkı Atay, garnered significant attention. He continued these works in Cumhuriyet Newspaper (1962-1979). His screenplay "Toprak" (Soil) was adapted into a film; his play "Mayın" (Mine) was staged by the Ankara Art Theatre (AST). After several group exhibitions, he held his first solo exhibition in 1975. For many years, he exhibited photographs he took in various parts of the world, primarily in Turkey, under the main title "Fotoğraflarla Gide Gide" (Going with Photographs). Otyam retired from Cumhuriyet Newspaper in 1979 at his own request and settled in Gazipaşa district of Antalya with his wife, interior architect and photographer Filiz Otyam. From that point on, he devoted himself entirely to his main profession, painting. He also has nearly fifty books, many of which have won awards and been translated into foreign languages.
