about.
Turkish - British visual artist.
London – Istanbul
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Esra Kizir Gokcen’s art gets inspiration from the wisdom of self-inquiry and its relationship with nature. Spontaneity is her way of emphasising the randomness of life. Esra uses multiple layers to create visual depth in her vibrant narrative. Starting with random splashes of colours she adds subtle details influenced by eastern miniature art and calligraphy. Her latest works are mostly related to migration, contemplation and spirituality.
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artist statement.
My art is an expression of my interest in self-inquiry and nature. I have striven over the years to synthesise a variety of techniques which have fascinated me. This joyful fusion of complimentary elements helps me mirror the diversity I’ve carried from my background culture. Water-based media allows a certain spontaneity that directly aligns with my observations on the randomness of life. The importance of detail can be observed among the multiple layers of lines, paint, prints and collages in my artwork. I have found that my print making discipline has had a lasting effect on my appreciation of detail.
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Nature and all its elements including microscopic beings as well as the infinite cycles of our universe, plays equally essential parts in my art. Instead of a conventional perspective I prefer using horizonless compositions with an emphasis on the feeling of that “particular moment”. Whilst not allying my style with any specific art movement, I do strive to create a harmonious new order from loose, playful spontaneity. I invite my viewers to look closer and enjoy the emerging delicate detail.
reviews.
"Take a close look, and in getting to know her better, you’ll see how, through its noble dedication, her intuitively-detailed, intimate work can take you to different places, of other possibilities."
– David White, Art Mag UK
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"Creating art that can be applied to global issues and our personal lives, Esra Kizir Gokcen's artworks are a beacon of hope in a world that can often seem dark and foreboding"
– Tabish Khan, London Art Critic
Visual arts editor of Londonist.com Reviewer of Culture Whisper Trustee of Artcan.org
solo exhibitions.
2021 “Art From Within” Charing Cross Library, Westminster, London

2015 "Metamorph-trick" State Fine Arts Gallery, Ayaz Museum, Ankara, Turkey

2014 “Metamorph-trick” Arps&Co Art Gallery, Amsterdam, Netherlands

2011 “Bubbles”, Utopia Platform Art Gallery, Ä°stanbul, Turkey

2007 “Floral Fairytales” Ürün Art Gallery, Ä°stanbul, Turkey

2004 “Petit Bonhommies” Beykoz Service Center, Ä°stanbul, Turkey


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awards. juried exhibitions. publishings.
2024 Moment Of Departure, The Lighthouse Trio, Ubuntu Music, Album Cover
2023 211th Annual Exhibition of The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, Mall Galleries, London, juried exhibition
2022 IMPACT12 Print Conference, UWE Bristol, Co-Traces Exhibition Curated and exhibited
2022 EdFringe Festival, The Artists Pool initiative exhibition, Dundas Street Gallery
2021 Henley Festival, The Artists Pool initiative exhibition

2016 2nd International Exlibris Competition Varna, Bulgaria, juried exhibition

2015 3rd International Brest Print Triennial, Brest, Belarus, juried exhibition


2015 25th Malbork Exlibris Biennial, Malbork Castle, Poland, juried exhibition

2014 First International Exlibris Competition, Varna, Bulgaria, juried exhibition
2014 35th FISAE International Exlibris Competition, Tarragona, Catalunya, Spain/ juried exhibition

2014 Modern Women Bookplate Designers Book, Published 2014 in Portugal, Pages135-144

2014 3rd Guangzhou International Exlibris and Mini-prints Biennial, Guangzhou, China, juried exhibition
2012 34th FISAE International Exlibris Competition, Naantali, Finland, juried exhibition

2012 / Turkish Illustration Catalogue / Alternatif Publishings, Istanbul, Turkey / Pages 492 - 495

2011 San Min Cup International Exlibris Competition Shanghai, China, The Excellent Prize

2010 1st International Exlibris Competition Nicosia, Cyprus, juried exhibition

2010 1st Kiev International Exlibris Competition, Ukraine, juried exhibition

2008 32th FISAE International Exlibris Competition, Beijing, China, juried exhibition
 

memberships.
Represented by Saatchi Online from 2012
A member of Istanbul Exlibris Society from 2012
Member of The Artists Pool from 2018
