Veli Mert

1984-1989

Graduated from the Department of Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, Marmara University. From 1994-1995, he worked as a painting teacher at Ağrı Taşlıçay High School; from 1995-1998, he served as a Research Assistant at the Faculty of Education, Atatürk University, Ağrı. From 1998-2004, he worked as a Lecturer at the Department of Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, Mersin University. Between 1995-1997, he completed a Master's program at the Fine Arts Institute of Marmara University with a thesis on "The Moment in Painting Art." From 2004-2007, he worked as a Research Assistant at the Fine Arts Institute of Marmara University and completed his Doctoral program with a thesis on "Space, Perception of Space, and the Gaze in Painting Art from the Renaissance to the Present." From 2007-2010, he worked as an Assistant Professor and from 2010-2016 as an Associate Professor at Mersin University, Faculty of Fine Arts.

On January 10, 2016, he signed the "Peace Declaration" titled "We Will Not Be a Partner to This Crime." On March 1, 2016, he was removed from his position as an Associate Professor in the Department of Painting at Mersin University, Faculty of Fine Arts, under a process called file evaluation. On April 29, 2017, he was dismissed for the second time, 14 months after his first dismissal, with the Decree Law No. 689.

On September 1, 2019, he co-founded D5 Art Environment with Lorine Nakkaş, Nida Karaytuğ Mert, Derya Gözükızıl, and İbrahim Tokaslan. He worked as a member and in the management of the Kültürhane Association.

On September 15, 2020, he became a member of the Advisory Board (Voluntary) of Atatürk Cultural Center Ahmet Yeşil Art Gallery and Yenişehir Municipal Art Gallery.

From 2020-2024, he co-established the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, Mersine Değer Katanlar (MEDEKA) Plastic Arts Council with Ahmet Yeşil and took on the role of period spokesperson.

Between 2019-2024, he worked as a Curator and Coordinator for the "Circular Environmental and Art Events."

Since 2024, he has worked as the Coordinator and Curator of the exhibitions in the "Portfolio Selection Competition," alongside Ezgi Bakçay.

He has organized nine solo exhibitions, participated in numerous group exhibitions, and led and participated in international projects.