Rıfat Çalışkan transforms home into art gallery after 55 years of painting

Retired teacher Rıfat Çalışkan has converted a portion of his home in Van, Turkey, into an art gallery and studio to showcase his lifelong passion for painting. A graduate of the Van Education Institute in 1977, Çalışkan has maintained his interest in art throughout his teaching career, which was bolstered by a two-month professional training course.

Since retiring 23 years ago, he has dedicated more time to his craft, creating works that depict nature landscapes, Anatolian culture, and the stories of people he meets during his travels. His paintings often feature human figures and workers, inspired by his visits to rural villages. Having participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions across various Turkish cities, Çalışkan is currently preparing for a new exhibition in Van to share his work with a wider audience.