Cem received his art education in Izmir at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Textile Design from 1983-1987.
Cem has always been passionate about painting. His curious and adventurous personality and his keenness to invent new things have led him to try all possible paints, techniques and styles. At first, his paintings were realistic and had a photographic quality.

Immigrating to Canada in 2001, Cem set out to create a unique style as a result of a series of explorations in his new and radically different life. For him creativity and originality have always been essential in contemporary art. Cem’s style is a modern mutation/transformation of his past experiences into the way of life in a new country.

Cem Basarir has found art competitions and prizes absolutely meaningless and unnecessary, and has refused to take part in such events, as he believes that unlike cars or horses, artists cannot be forced to compete. He was asked to become the chairman of CFS (Colour and Form Society) even though he had been a member for only two years. He chaired the organization for about 18 months and then left this position on his own free will.

His work has been reported on by many TV stations, newspapers and magazines which published interviews with him. Princeton Art & Brush Co. Inc. asked him to try their brushes- he did and in turn offered them feedback regarding his experiences with their products. At the request of one of the biggest advertising agencies of the world, McCann, Cem gave permission for the display of his work on the walls of the agency for six months. He has had international shows and his work continues to receive great attention and interest at auctions.

Cem Basarir continues his art practice in Toronto where he interacts with groups of viewers that have high artistic awareness and embrace the novelty of his innovative paintings. This positive interaction has led to a warm welcome for his works. Cem now has a special customer base and his art is met with a lot of interest. He has many followers.

Cem’s art is truly unique: He even produces his own canvasses and paints.

Education

George Brown College, Graphic Arts, Adobe Illustrator Certificate, Toronto, 2007
Dokuz Eylul University, BFA, Textile Design, Izmir, Turkey, 1987
Dokuz Eylul University, B. Admin., Izmir, Turkey, 1982
Istanbul University, BA, Economics, Istanbul, Turkey, 1979

Group Exhibitions

Illuminations: A Journey of Light and Shadow, DC Fine Art Gallery x Novotel, Toronto, July 2023
Friends of Hittite, Dignam Gallery, Toronto, April 2023
9th Art Ankara Contemporary Art Fair, Ankara, March 2023
Exhibition 1+1, At Origin, Toronto, October 2022
32nd Annual Mistletoe Magic, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, December 2021
Arp Gallery at Hilton, Istanbul, December 2020
31st Annual Mistletoe Magic, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, December 2020
6th Art Ankara Contemporary Art Fair, Ankara, March 2020
Istanbul Art Show, Hilton Exhibition Center, Istanbul, December 2019
30th Annual Mistletoe Magic, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, December 2019
Brush Strokes From Away, Dedeman Arp Gallery, Istanbul,  October 2019
Special Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, August 2019
Midsummer Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, June 2019
5th Art Ankara Contemporary Art Fair, Ankara, March 2019
Art Show by ARP – Silent Auction, Istanbul, December 2018
29th Annual Mistletoe Magic, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, December 2018
Annual Christmas Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, December 2018
October Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, October 2018
Fall Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, October 2018
Vibe Canada, St. Mildred’s Gallery, London UK, September 2018
Gallery Hittite, Toronto, May 2018
4th Art Ankara Contemporary Art Fair, Ankara, March 2018
Mistletoe Magic, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, November 2017
Our City, Artworld Fine Art, Toronto. November 2017
Gallery Hittite, Toronto, September 2017
Abbozzo Gallery, Toronto, September 2017
3rd Art Ankara Contemporary Art Fair, Ankara, March 2017
Art Fusion, Arta Gallery, Toronto, February 2017
Valentine Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, February 2017
Christmas Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, December 2016
Mistletoe Magic, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, November 2016
Gallery Hittite, Toronto, September 2016
In the Space of Colour, Kumf Gallery, Toronto, June 2016
The Major Exhibition, Bilkent Art Street, Ankara, April 2016
2nd Art Ankara Contemporary Art Fair, Ankara, March 2016
Holiday Exhibition, Gallery Walrus, Toronto, December 2015
Park Dedeman Gallery by RC, Istanbul, November 2015
Unique Canadian Exhibit, Bilkent Center AVM, Ankara, October 2015
Summer Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, July 2015
Connecting Canadian Artists, Spring Show, Arta Gallery, Toronto, April 2015
ATO Congressium, Ankara, March 2015
Annual Valentine Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, February 2015
Holiday Exhibition, Gallery Walrus, Toronto, December 2014
Holiday Group Show, Arta Gallery, Toronto, November 2014
Summer Suns Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, July 2014
Summer Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, June 2014
Early Spring Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, February 2014
Valentine Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, February 2014
International Art Exhibition, Louvre (Carrousel), Paris – France, January 2014
Christmas Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, November 2013
October Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, October 2013
September Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, September 2013
August Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, August 2013
The Rainbow Cinemas Gallery, Toronto, June 2013
Montage, Moniker Gallery, Toronto, May 2013
Valentine Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, February 2013
Christmas Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, December 2012
Autumn Group Show, Gallery Hittite, Toronto, November 2012
Summer Group Show, Arta Gallery, Toronto, September 2012
Annual Summer Group Show, Arta Gallery, Toronto, August 2012
Gallery Hittite, Toronto, July 2012
Lastin, Bezpala Brown Gallery, Toronto, March 2012
Gallery Hittite, Toronto, December 2011
Gallery Hittite, Toronto, September 2011
Gallery Hittite, Toronto, July 2011

Solo Exhibitions

Timeless Toronto, Miles Nadal JCC, Toronto, December 2018
Happy Easter, CB Studio, Toronto, April 2017
Give the Gift of Art, Gallery Walrus, Toronto, December 2016
Toronto in Colour, Gallery Walrus, Toronto, August 2016
Earth Day, Gallery Walrus, Toronto, April 2016
Gallery Walrus, Toronto, July 2015
Cambria Gallery, Toronto, May 2015
RC Art Gallery, Ankara. December 2014
My Beautiful Toronto, CB Studio, Toronto, May 2014
Gallery Aphrodite, Nova Scotia, June 2013
Gallery Hittite, Toronto, January 2013
Gallery Hittite, Toronto, August 2012

Juried Exhibitions

Painting 2017, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, July 2017
CFS’s Biennial Open Juried Exhibition, Todmorden Mills, The Papermill Gallery, Toronto, June 2016
SCA’s National Open Juried Online Exhibition,On-Line Gallery, April, 2015
CFS’s Biennial Art Exhibition, Todmorden Mills, The Papermill Gallery, Toronto, June 2014
CFS’s 61st Annual Open Juried Exhibition, Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery, Toronto, November 2013
CFS’s 60th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery, Toronto, November 2012
SCA’s 44th Open National Juried Exhibition, Todmorden Mills, The Papermill Gallery, Toronto, July 2012
CFS’s Biennial Art Exhibition, Todmorden Mills, The Papermill Gallery, Toronto, May 2012

Private Exhibitions

McCann World Group Canada, Toronto, May to October 2018

Fundraising Events

Artists Stand With Ukraine, Kumf Gallery, March 2022
Canvas Canada: Exhibit “i” Kumf Gallery, October 2021
Auction by RC,  Bilkent Art Street, Ankara, December 2019 (For Turkish Training Foundation, TEV)
Auction by RC,  Dedeman Art Gallery, Istanbul, May 2019 (For Turkish Training Foundation, TEV)
Fourth Charitable Marathon, King’s Garden, Golden Lion, Toronto, June 2018(For Orphaned Children in Ukraine)
Paint Nite, Gilda’s Club, Toronto, March 2018
Third Charitable Marathon, King’s Garden, Banquet Hall, Toronto, June 2017(For Orphaned Children in Ukraine)
A Night of Art Sale, Gallery Walrus, Toronto, January 2016 (For SickKids Hospital Foundation)

Media Appearances

Luxe Magazine, Toronto, September 2018
MAG Magazine interview, Ankara, February 2018
Hurriyet Ege (Turkish national newspaper) October 2017
Kontakt TV (Ukrainian TV in Canada) February 2017
Forum TV (Ukrainian TV in Canada) February 2017
Turkuaz TV (Turkish TV in Canada) February 2017
TRT Turk (Turkish International TV Channel) January 2015
Yeni Asir (Turkish national newspaper) December 2014 – 2
Yeni Asir (Turkish national newspaper) December 2014 – 1
Hurriyet Ege (Turkish national newspaper) December 2014
Moda Magazin , Ankara, December 2014
Ankara Art Magazine, December 2014
Telve, Turkish Society of Canada’s e-magazine interview, October 2014
Ankara Life interview, Ankara, September 2014
CBC interview, Toronto, June 2014
TRT Turk (Turkish International TV Channel) May 2014
TRT Turk (Turkish International TV Channel) Interview, February 2014
TRT Turk (Turkish International TV Channel) February 2014
Turkuaz TV (Turkish TV in Canada) January 2014

Membership

(CFS) Colour and Form Society – 2013 to present (President, January 2015 – May 2016)
(SCA) Society of Canadian Artists – 2012 – 2017

Private Collections

Royal Family (Canada)
Royal Family (Qatar)
Consulate General of Ukraine, Toronto
EW Concept, Toronto
Pristine Printing Inc., Toronto
SickKids Foundation, Toronto
Turkish Consulate General, Toronto
RC Collection, Ankara
Hittite Gallery, Toronto

Teaching Experience

CB Studio-Gallery, Toronto, 2008 to present
Music & Art School, Toronto, 2007 – 2008
Studio Boomerang, Drawing Fundamentals, Izmir,  1996 – 2000