"Art is a Concept That Benefits Everyone"
We are hosting Hacı Sabancı, a young member and collector who continues the Sabancı family's tradition of supporting art. Hacı Sabancı, shared his passion for art, his approach to it, and his collection with Artisans readers.
Hacı Sabancı is not only a member of one of Turkey's most prominent families but also a well-known figure in the art community due to his support for art and his collection .
Young Sabancı's interest in art began during his high school years and continued with academic courses he took during his university studies. Of course, one of the biggest factors in the development of this passion was his family's tradition of supporting art.
Hacı Sabancı sincerely answered our questions about his passion for art and his collection.
Hello, Mr. Hacı. You are one of the prominent figures in our country's business and art communities . However, could you briefly tell us about yourself so that our readers can get to know you better?
Hello. First of all, thank you. I was born in 1987. I am a graduate of Saint Benoît French High School.
I completed my undergraduate education at Tufts University in the USA. After studying maritime and finance in London, I returned to Istanbul and started working at Marinsa Denizcilik.
Today, I am still a Member of the Board of Directors at Marinsa Denizcilik and actively continue my duties.
Being born into one of Turkey's most important families... In one of your interviews, you said that this is like starting life with a 1-0 advantage. Did carrying this surname place an extra responsibility on you, especially during your childhood? Do you consider this a stroke of luck or an opportunity?
My siblings and I were raised with an awareness of that responsibility. Carrying such a surname is, first and foremost, a great source of pride.
I also carry the name of my late grandfather, Hacı Sabancı. Of course, it's a great privilege, and I strive to live up to this name.
"Carrying such a surname is, first and foremost, a great source of pride. I strive to live up to this name."
I know that while you were pursuing an intensive economics education at Tufts University in America, you also took elective art history courses. What impact did this early passion for art have on your life? What were the positive aspects that this situation brought you?
Actually, my interest in art began when I was preparing for university. I volunteered at the Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum for certain hours after school, and it was there that I started to develop an interest in art.
When I went to university, I needed to take courses in different fields, so I thought about taking art history classes. My memory is also strong. Thanks to that, I started getting good grades, and my interest grew exponentially.
I especially loved the history of the Renaissance. Art is definitely something that is good for the human soul.
I wish I had the talent to play an instrument or paint. I would love to, but I have to settle for being an observer. Even that gives me great pleasure.
"Art is definitely something that is good for the human soul."
You have a very large family collection exceeding 250 pieces. Kişisel To whom did the first piece of your personal collection belong?
Our contemporary art collection is named the Arzu-Ömer Sabancı Collection. The collection began to form with my mother and father's first acquisition in 2006.
I have also been trying to contribute to the collection since 2010. My first acquired work was, I believe, a piece by Ergin İnan.
I say "I believe" because I distinctly remember it being a work that truly resonated with me and excited me greatly.
It is in my home, and I look at this piece every day with the same appreciation as the first day.
Some of the most significant art investments in Turkey are made by the Sabancı family. We can see that investments in culture and art, and especially support for artists, have continued intensely from your elders to you.
Do you have any future plans and projects in this regard? Is it possible to consider this inherited interest and support as a family legacy?
All the elders of my family, especially the late Sakıp Sabancı, have supported art. I am very proud of this.
I also have the intention of being involved in structures that support young artists in the future.
Additionally, I have the idea of sharing certain parts of the collection periodically with everyone in the form of exhibitions in the future.
However, this idea is still in a very raw stage. İnşallah hopefully, I plan to realize such a project in the coming years.
"I have the intention of being involved in structures that support young artists in the future."
