Portrait by Leroy Schulz.
Born and raised in Ankara, Turkey, Yücel Soykut began painting in his late teens while pursuing a career as a hairstylist. After immigrating to Ottawa, Canada in 1971 he became a stylist at the exclusive Rinoldo Hair and Spa then opened his own shop where he became the stylist of then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
He continued with his other passion of painting and gradually built upon a foundation of work over four decades. Having married and settled in Calgary, Canada, Yücel and his wife raised a family of four beautiful children while continuing with his own hair salons (Split Ends & Senses). The impact his family has on his collection can be seen in the subjects of his work, many of which include images of his children and his wife.