The artist Mustafa Ayaz built a shanty in Şentepe - Ankara, in 1974. It became both the home for his family and a sanctuary for his art. For 16 years, he used the basement of this shanty as his studio where he worked day and night to create his most creative works. Many of his paintings were kept in storage rather than being exhibited or sold. Over the years, these paintings accumulated. It was his dream to build a museum and with this idea always in the back of his mind, he decided to realize it. He accomplished this dream entirely through the proceeds from selling his paintings, without getting any financial support from others. The museum, which began operating as a foundation in 2009, is notable for being the first personal contemporary art museum in Turkey designed entirely from scratch.
The museum, consisting of seven floors, displays works donated by Mustafa Ayaz to the foundation from the years 1968 through to the present day. The style of these works evolved from abstract to more concrete over the decades. From 1973 to 1980, rural life scenes and depictions of women were the predominant subjects in his paintings. His works often reflect the dilemmas and contradictions in his life. In the 1980s, the focus shifted to vibrant, crowded compositions that continue to be prominent today. In addition to his paintings, the museum also features sculptures. These sculptures, influenced by Impressionism, predominantly depict women and busts of the artist himself.
The museum also includes galleries, children's art and ceramics workshops, a library, a souvenir shop, and a museum café.