With the Covid 19 lockdown, like everybody else, I had to find a sustainable way to keep my art practice active within my limited circumstances. This led me to use sketchbooks more and gave me the idea for this project.
I thought, if I committed to a structured project and shared it on social media regularly as an invitation to all, I could help to build a healing art community.
Many people joined me in sharing their drawings on social media; many more followed and encouraged me all through this challenge. I shared their drawings in my social media stories and in a featured video of this journey. You can view the video from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jqzX0W3wk8
I thank everyone who showed their interest in different ways. Art is for sharing!
About The Show
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For this exhibition, a selection of artworks from the 365 consequent daily meditative drawings by artist Esra Kizir Gokcen is on display for viewing. All artworks are in A4 and A3 formats and editioned to 365. Printed books of her visual diary in its entirety, editioned to 365 will also be available for this exhibition. All signed and numbered by the artist.
Esra started this project with the idea of giving back to society as a 50th birthday gift during the uncertainty of a global pandemic. Drawing daily and sharing on social media as an invitation for all to enjoy the process of drawing and to share wellbeing through art.
Her approach to life and art has been reflected every day, for an entire year during the Covid 19 lockdown.
Esra’s visual diary is heavily influenced by her readings, mostly about mindfulness and self-awareness and her daily walks in the local park.
About The Artist
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Esra Kizir Gokcen is a Turkish painter and printmaker. She studied art in Istanbul and currently lives in London. She has held five solo exhibitions in Istanbul, Ankara, and Amsterdam and participated in almost 100 group exhibitions internationally. Her works have also been exhibited in print biennials.
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She facilitates group workshops for all ages and also for specialised corporate events, combining the wellbeing effect of art with practicality.
Her art focuses on the bonds between social life and nature. Spontaneity is her way of emphasising the randomness of life. Esra’s latest works are mostly related to migration, globalisation and spirituality.