ArtMeant* Project

The first guest of the ArtMeant* Project is Meryem Özbahar, who participated in the “Az Öte” exhibition with her work “Transition” as a result of the “Çekirdek Eskişehir” workshop.

“Transition” focuses on the transformation individuals undergo in the process of constructing their gender identity and the physical and psychological challenges of this journey.

With dear Meryem, we discussed both her artistic life and the dynamics that influence this process, specifically in relation to “Transition.”

Interview by Buket Bal

Can you talk about the beginning of your interest in art and your engagement with it in practice?

My interest in art began in my childhood. This journey started with drawing at the age of five and evolved into a more conscious production process during my high school and university years. I began my academic education by enrolling in the painting department of the Faculty of Fine Arts, and I am currently continuing my proficiency in art education. Throughout this process, I have enriched my artistic practice by merging art theory with practice. I draw inspiration from various disciplines, including visual arts, cinema, music, and architecture. With a multidisciplinary approach, I continuously work on developing my art.
By exploring different methods of consumption, production, and even transformation, I strive to push the boundaries between experience and memory in my creative process. My artistic practice continues to evolve as a visual narrative that examines the tension between past and future, traditional and contemporary, static and dynamic, offering insight into our ever-changing world.

At what stage do you see yourself in your artistic journey in terms of production, method, and perspective?

I am currently in the thesis process of my proficiency in art studies, focusing on postmodernism, poststructuralism, deconstruction, and gender studies. The concept of deconstruction particularly interests me in the context of the body, identity construction, and feminist art. My research on contemporary feminist, conceptual, and performance artists deepens my artistic practice. By keeping up with the evolving dynamics of contemporary art, I integrate theory and practice into my creative process.

What are the most significant triggers that influence your artistic practice and provide you with variability and motivation?

I am both my own motivation and my own demotivation. My experiences, observations, interests, and deep commitment to art shape my creations. Traveling, exhibitions, museum visits, theater performances, food, music, cinema, and photography are among my sources of inspiration. In addition, my academic journey, interdisciplinary readings, and engagement with the contemporary art scene also nourish my work. While I see art as a means of expression, I also regard it as a space for questioning social transformations and individual experiences.

I would like to talk about one of your recent works, “Transition.” It is a multidimensional piece with a strong expressive power centered on gender roles. At a time when many artists prefer to remain more sterile and apolitical, how did “Transition” come about?

The idea for “Transition” had been forming in my mind for a long time. The workshop process of the “Çekirdek Eskişehir” project, which focused on issues such as discrimination and marginalization, provided significant motivation for me to bring this idea to life. As part of the “Online Art Project,” I participated in the “Çekirdek Eskişehir” workshop and, as a result, took part in the “Az Öte” exhibition.

“Çekirdek Eskişehir” is a project supported by the grant program Ortaklaşa: Culture, Dialogue, and Support Program, implemented by İKSV with the support of the European Union. The project aimed to transform the island located in Eskişehir Kentpark into a space for dialogue and artistic production for artists and cultural producers. It was carried out by Puruli Culture and Arts Association in collaboration with the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality.
I am grateful to both Çekirdek Eskişehir and the Online Art Project for providing me with this opportunity.

“Transition” focuses on the transformation individuals experience in the process of constructing their gender identity and the physical and psychological challenges of this journey. It explores elements such as the sense of alienation from one’s body before gender transition, hormone therapy, psychological support, societal pressures, and the individual’s effort to reconstruct themselves. I aimed to present the reality and difficulties of this process directly to the audience through the approach of abject art.

The materials I selected enhance the expressive power of the work. Vacuum-sealed transparent zip bags metaphorically reflect the individual’s effort to preserve and control their identity. “Transition” represents a process rather than an outcome, offering the audience an opportunity to experience this transformation.

Are there any recent art events or exhibitions you particularly enjoyed visiting?

Some of the exhibitions I recently visited have deeply influenced me. The works in the “States of the Earth” exhibition at Yapı Kredi Culture and Arts in Istanbul particularly caught my attention. The Picasso exhibition at AKM and the exhibition blending digital and traditional art at “Depo No:4” a newly opened cultural and arts gallery in Konya were truly inspiring. The “Ehlikeyif” exhibition at the Odunpazarı Modern Museum in Eskişehir stood out with its contemporary works and fantastical designs. Additionally, I closely follow contemporary art exhibitions at “Yunt” Art and Interaction Space in Istanbul. Social media is also an essential resource for me to keep up with contemporary art events and discover new artists.

Lastly, can you tell us about your current and upcoming projects?

Among my upcoming projects, I plan to conduct my doctoral thesis as part of a scientific research project and organize a multidisciplinary solo exhibition in this context. This exhibition will feature works that combine gender inquiries, the concept of deconstruction, and diverse material applications.
I am also working on AI-assisted art production processes. I aim to conduct experimental studies at the intersection of traditional art practices and digital art. Additionally, I want to expand my research on the sustainability of art and artistic production. I am exploring ways to make art production processes more efficient by leveraging speed, time, and cost factors in the digitizing art world. In this regard, I will continue to develop new projects on the integration of technology into art.