Hadiye Kalkavan

Hadiye Kalkavan, born in Istanbul in 1973, graduated from the Painting Education Department of Marmara University Atatürk Faculty of Education. She developed her sculptural practice in the studio of Prof. Berika İpek Bayrak and, following her graduation, took on active roles as both an educator and administrator in the field of art education.

Her artistic practice focuses particularly on the visibility and value of young girls. In her sculptures shaped around the theme of “happy girls,” she expresses feelings of joy, hope, and freedom through a simple yet powerful visual language. The clarity of form and emotional intensity in her figures establish a direct connection with the viewer.

Her identity as an educator and as the mother of a daughter plays a defining role in her production. Her work is nourished by both personal experience and a desire to raise social awareness.

Her works have been presented in various fairs and exhibitions, and in 2025 she was awarded the “Mimar Sinan of the Year Award.”

Her approach can be summarized in her own words:
“In my works, I aim to make the joy and hope of children visible.”

Continuing her practice in her Istanbul studio, Kalkavan brings together emotional expression and social sensitivity through her figurative sculptural language.