May 20-July 29,2023 Archive of the A.I.R.
2022 https://www.starworksnc.org/current-glass-resident-artists
2022 TA at Pilchuck Glass School, WA
2018 Creative Glass Center of America Fellow
2010 – 2013 – 2016 The Republic of Turkey,
Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Travel Grant
2013 – 2018 Turkish Cultural Foundation Fellow
STATEMENT
Gülfidan Özmen is an interdisciplinary artist living and working in the İznik Lake Area, the country site of Bursa, Türkiye. She earned her BFA and MFA from Mimar Sinan University, Fine Arts Faculty, Ceramic and Glass Department in İstanbul. As an artist in residence in STARworks, NC; WheatonArts, NJ; Open Studio Residency at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, she also participated in many group shows in her homeland and abroad.
Through referencing archaeological sites, primitive architecture, ruins, and aerial views, her art pieces, including paintings, sculptures, and installations, showcase a range of small and large forms, their compositions, and their interplay with the existing space. Although the main material she feels comfortable using is glass; ceramics, paper, or many other elements that allow her to communicate with the space or the project can be included in her works. As a working method, she embraces pushing the limits of the technical possibilities offered by the materials she uses and their relationship with other materials, to evaluate new materials by using different applications, and by moving away from technical details turning the results into questionable works with their process and plasticity properties.
EDUCATION
2008 - 2010
Ceramics and Glass MFA
Mimar Sinan University, Fine Arts Faculty, Istanbul,TR
1995 - 2000
Ceramics and Glass, BFA
Mimar Sinan University, Fine Arts Faculty, Istanbul,TR
1991 - 1995
Painting Department
Istanbul Fine Arts High School, Istanbul,TR
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
03.02.2012 – 20.02.2025
Tomorrow
Troia Foundation, Korfmann Library's Gallery, Canakkale,TR
14.01.2012 – 04.02.2012
Visual Memory II
Kiziltoprak Art Gallery, Istanbul,TR
15.11.2011 – 09.12.2011
Visual Memory
Galatea Art Gallery, Istanbul,TR
07.12.2010 – 31.12.2010
Silhouettes
Ormo Art Gallery, Istanbul,TR
07.04.2009 - 01.05.2009
Optical Impressions
Enka Dr.Vickers Art Gallery, Istanbul,TR
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
09.02.2024 – 22.03.2024
Doğ
Mahal, Canakkale, TR
20.05.2023 – 29.07.2023
Archive of the A.I.R.
Past Present Projects Gallery, Bok Building #203, Philadelphia, PA, USA
08.02.2022 – 28.03.2022
ON: MSGSU-VitrA Ceramic Art Studio / 2012-2022
Tophane-i Amire Culture & Art Center, Bes Kubbe Gallery
Istanbul, TR
27.06.2019 - 11.07.2019
Onsekiz-Ondokuz / MSGSU-VitrA Ceramic Art Studio
VBenzeri Mekan, Istanbul,TR
14.11.2017 – 25.12.2017
Across the Line / British Council – AltCity
Digi.logue, Zorlu, Istanbul,TR
22.01.2014 – 27.03.2014
State of Material-2
Armaggan Art and Design Gallery, Istanbul,TR
22.01.2014 – 27.03.2014
+1: Glass
Lincoln Arts Project, Waltham, MA, USA
06.08.2011 – 22.10.2011
Invisible Cities – Reflections on Travels Between
Istanbul and New York City
Floating World Projects / The Society of Arts and Crafts
Boston, MA, USA
AWARDS, GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS
Wheaton Arts,
Creative Glass Center of America Fellowship 2018
Millville, NJ, USA
Turkish Cultural Foundation
Cultural Exchange Fellow 2013, 2018
The Republic of Turkiye, Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Travel Grant 2010, 2013, 2018
Rotary Art Prize 2012
Catalog Selection
Glass Furnace, Full Scholarship 2002
Therman Statom, Sallie Portnoy
RESIDENCIES
15.02.2024 - 25.02.2024
CASEM Guest Artist Program
Çanakkale Ceramics Research Development and Application Center
TR
15.09.2022 - 15.12.2022
STARworks Glass Residency
Star, NC,USA
10.12.2018 – 27.12.2018
MSGSU-VitrA Ceramic Art Studio Residency
Mimar Sinan University, Istanbul,TR
18.04.2018–18.07.2018
Wheaton Arts, Creative Glass Center of America
Millville, NJ,USA
23.10.2017–05.11.2017
AltCity Istanbul Residency Program
Zorlu Performing Art Center, Istanbul,TR
29.05.2016-10.06.2016
Open Studio Residency
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME,USA
Floating World Projects 2010-2011
Artists Group Project held in Istanbul and NYC
15.09.2001 - 15.10.2001
Schott Desag Factory Residency
Grunenplan, Germany
FAIRS
07.10.2013 - 10.10.2013
Contemporary Istanbul International Art Fair
with Armaggan Art and Design Gallery
22.10.2012 - 25.10.2012
Contemporary Istanbul International Art Fair
with Gallery Ilayda
27.04.2012 - 01.05.2012
Artexpo Arezzo, Italia
with Neo Art Gallery
30.10.2010 - 07.11.2010
Artist 2010, Istanbul Art Fair
with Enka Dr. Vickers Art Gallery
03.12.2009 - 06.12.2009
Contemporary Istanbul International Art Fair
with Arda Art Gallery
SYMPOSIUMS AND TALKS
13.05.2024
Artist Talk _ Creative Process and Practices
Anadolu University, Fine Arts Faculty, Glass Department
Eskisehir
17.05.2023
ODTU Music and Fine Arts Department, Glass Art Lesson
Artist Talk with Assoc. Prof. Ödül Işıtman
Online talk at Zoom
31.03.2023
Artist Talk
Past Present Projects Gallery, Bok Building #203, Philadelphia, PA
17.11.2022
Artist Talk
STARworks Glass, Star, NC
26.01.2021
MSGSU-VitrA Ceramic Art Studio
Artist Talk with Prof. Yeşim Zümrüt
Online talk at Zoom
11.12.2020
Artist Talk with Şanel Şan
online Instagram live @tasarimparki
13.05.2019
Artist Talk
Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Fine Arts Faculty,
Ceramic and Glass, Canakkale
17.12.2018
Artist Talk
Mimar Sinan University, Ceramic and Glass, Istanbul
13.06.2013 – 16.06.2013
GlassBoston Glass Conference, USA
participated artist
02.10.2010 – 12.10.2010
L’viv International Blown Glass Symposium, Ukraine
participated artist
COLLECTIONS
Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale Ceramics
Research Development and Application Center, Guest Artist Program
Canakkale, TR
Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture
Istanbul, TR
Museum of American Glass
CGCA, Millville, NJ, USA
L’viv National Museum
L’viv, Ukraine
Artam Collection
Private Collection, TR
Eskişehir Contemporary Glass Art Museum
Eskişehir, TR
PUBLISHED WRITING
Glass: The UrbanGlass Art Quarterly
Summer 2023, Issue 171 Page 64-57
Reflection Article “Artist-in-residence programs, already so important to developing artists, become even more critical when artists become victims of disasters.”
Master Thesis: Op Art and Contemporary Glass Art
MSGSU, Social Science Institute, 2009
Advisor: Assist. Prof. İrfan Aydın
Turkish Ceramic Society VI. International Ceramic Congress, Sakarya with Dr. Hasdemir, İlhan
PATE DE VERRE AND VITROMASS IN GLASS FORMING Page:23 2006: 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Past Present No.3, bi-annual arts and culture journal
“Archive of the A.I.R. Exhibition” August 2023
Gucluturk, Fem. Maison Française, January 2016: 49,
Page: 112
Turan Eke, Öznur. “A Studio and Two Sisters”,
Art-ı Mekan, May-June 2014: 45,
Page: 118, 119, 120
Hız, Dilhan. “Silhouettes Behind Glass with Gülfidan Özmen”, Focus, January-February 2011: 23,
Page: 80, 81, 82
Yanık, Figen. “Urban Reflections in Glass”, Sabah Daily Newspaper, December 26, 2010
Faces / Hundreds of Istanbul
100 Glass Artists in Istanbul
Gültekin Çizgen. Page: 34
Best of Worldwide Glass Artists Vol.1.
Kennedy Publishing, 2010, Page:112.
Creativ Dergi, October, 2009
Page: 8-9
Tasarım, Review of Architecture, Interior Design and
Visual Arts, 2009: 191.
Page: 46
Kohler, Lucartha. Women Working in Glass.
Schiffer Publishing. 2003
Page: 186
SELECTED TEACHING EXPERIENCES
14.05.2024
Site-Specific Performances
Anadolu University, Fine Arts Faculty, Glass Department
Eskisehir
09.07.2022 - 27.07.2022
Teaching Assistant at Pilchuck Glass School, USA
Session-4
07.09 / 28.09.2013
One of Three: Serigraphy Workshop (+15-20)
as part of the Suna and Inan Kıraç Foundation Collection Exhibition
Pera Museum, Istanbul
29.05.2013
Olé! Pop Art: Serigraphy Workshop (+15-20)
as part of Manolo Valdés Exhibition
Pera Museum, Istanbul
08.03 / 12.04.2014
Glass within Glass: Mixed Media Workshop (+15)
as part of Aurora: Contemporary Nordic Glass Art Exhibition
Pera Museum, Istanbul
2008-2014
Lecturer at Mimar Sinan University, Ceramic and Glass
Contemporary Glass Art and Design 1
Contemporary Glass Art and Design 2
Glass Studio 3
CONSULTANCY & WORK
31.03.2015 – 04.05.2015
Valens Mosaic and Tiles, Istanbul
Product and Design Advisor
05.06.2008 – 29.02.2012
Gülfidan Özmen Art & Design Consulting Service
for VitrA Tiles, Ferer Pigments
01.03.2004 – 31.03.2008
VitrA Tiles, Istanbul
Chief of Production, Production and Design Specialist
15.05.2003 – 30.09.2003
Art Objects, USA
Assistant of Therman Statom
15.01.2003 – 01.05.2003
Cenan Uyanusta Studio, Istanbul
Assistant of Cenan Uyanusta
01.09.2002 – 20.12.2002
Cam Mühendislik
Glass Objects Design
08.08.2000 – 31.08.2002
Fuzyon Teknik
Architectural Glass Design & Production
Since 2011, I’m working on a sketch book I called “Visual Diary (Robin’s Journal)”. There are different kind of stories I painted about. Using screen printing, water color and collages.
Some photography with these sketches together with my glass pieces. My project is still continue. Planning to make more bigger paintings with 3D touch.
My gold serial glass works that I first did in 2012 for Armaggan Art and Design Gallery carry the quality of an allusion of flat glass which is the invisible object of our daily life with its usage in many areas like facades and furniture.The prominent feature of the work is that it preserves both its value as an artwork and functionality.Theme of sexuality comes forward in the subtext of my works. Each of these works are abstractions that I have formed starting from night-day, nude in landscape, H.Miller and chaos and solutions that sexuality brings to our lives.
In the second version of the Visual Memory series that I created in 2011 and 2012, I worked on paper mostly, but it’s not easy to refer to these works as paperwork. I also did screen printing on glass which I used to frame these artworks. So I catch a deeper effect by working on paper and glass simultaneously. As I meddle with my memory, all the past and future that come out, appear in these frames and come together. Our memory feeds the future and connects us to life strongly in our most desperate moments.
My show ‘Visual Memory’ which took place at the end of 2011 give references to experiences and things I have seen, filed up in my mind and soul in time and surfacing as they were dredged up. All these moments are present as long as we exist; we perceive these permeable moments in such a massive way and consider them as if they’re never going to disappear. In fact all of them will vanish with us and lose all the meaning. “We construct our lives on a permeable and transparent space like glass, as if it is never going to disappear.” In “Visual Memory” serie technically I cut most of the glass forms in water jet and apply high degree pigments and gold by screen printing and with some mixed media techniques. Then assembled them by hinges. In paperworks I screen printed on paper and also used cake boxes for collage. All imagery in artworks are photographed by me.
Carried out in year 2010, my second solo show, “Silhouettes” is a glass interpretation of Istanbul, the city I live in. It tells about the city of Istanbul with its various mysteries and spots which have chosen to hide or still waiting to be discovered despite having been consumed ruthlessly for years; it tells about the transparent and naive Istanbul in my mind. In my works which are an abstract interpretation of the city, I worked with borosilicate glass to express the grace of the city that still remains hidden somewhere. I have completed the transparent Istanbul in my mind with city’s own colors like turquoise and blue and with old Istanbul objects – glass bottle caps – that I picked up all over the city. And the maps, the most important document which record the past and present of the city. These forms, each keep their ‘object’ status on their own, came together and transformed into transparent silhouettes which may remind of many spots in the city.
My first serial work, produced in 2009, called ‘Optical Impressions’ is about the contrasts in nature which we encounter every moment and become a part of, without noticing. These contrasts we come across in nature protect their place where they exist in our own nature and because of this, they cease to be a contradiction and become a part of our lives. In these works where hot glass forming techniques and screen printing on glass applications are used together, the glass is framed with lacquer-polished wooden cases. Along with contrasts created by constructed glass objects in foursquare cases, color contrasts have a place in these artworks, too.
In my first solo show you can see so many optical themes that I expressed by glass. In these giant wall pieces I specially work with blown glass objects and screen printed glass pieces.
Dr. Nejat F. Eczacıbaşı established the VitrA Ceramic Arts Studio in 1957, with the goal of encouraging ceramic artists and public appreciation of this medium. Over the years, the VitrA Ceramic Arts Studio has opened its doors to a large number of young and talented ceramic artists, organized public exhibitions of their work, and hosted master classes, conferences, slide shows and workshops on ceramic art.
In January 2012, VitrA signed a protocol with the Division of Ceramic and Glass Design at Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts (MSGSÜ) that aims to contribute to the artistic development of university students and enrich their perspectives by providing them opportunities to work side by side with internationally acclaimed ceramic artists. As part of the agreement, MSGSÜ and VitrA invite four guest artists every year – two from Turkey and two from abroad – to work at the studio. During this period, VitrA and the university jointly organize ceramic art workshops at the university, and at the end of the year, MSGSÜ exhibits the artists’ work in the university’s historic building in Tophane, Istanbul. The VitrA Ceramic Arts Studio is a member of the Geneva-based International Academy of Ceramics (IAC).
About CGCA Fellowship;
The CGCA at WheatonArts offers fellowships to artists working in glass and has serviced glass artists and the arts community for over thirty years. Over 300 professional and emerging artists have been recipients of a CGCA fellowship, from the U.S. and over 26 foreign countries. Artists are encouraged to use their fellowships to develop and refine their work, while experimenting with both traditional and innovative glassmaking processes.
The CGCA Fellowship Program provides 24-hour studio facilities, technical resources, housing and a stipend; allowing artists the opportunity to spend a concentrated period of time devoted exclusively to their work. Many emerging artists have used the Fellowships as a stepping-stone to a successful career. For mid-career artists, it offers an opportunity to redefine direction and renew creative energy. The collaboration and exchange of ideas among the Fellows enhances a productive climate, supporting the discovery of new vision and resources for each.
In 2018, the CGCA will offer 3-month fellowships from April 18 – July 18.
Only artists who have never been through the program may apply for three- month sessions. During their Fellowships, artists have the use of private studios and excellent facilities within a respectful sanctuary of concentrated time.
key words of my creative process; balance, archeological sites, primitive habitat, archi-sculpture, architecture, structure, archi-structure, useless structures, elements in space, geometric formation, nowhere, organic methodology, constructed memories, mental space, poetic set of light, texture
Night Walk – Light and Reflection … collaboration with Zeynep Budak…projection mapping on 3 x 11 x 24.5 cm kiln formed opaque-clear glass, exhibited on mirror covered iron pedestal (19 x 24 x 110 cm), 2017
As in many other metropolises, Istanbul, the city we live in, snatches us away from nature. Although we may be unaware towards it, we still have one natural thing that is very precious – the light. Without light, it’s impossible for us to maintain our existence and cyclical rituals. In a metropolis, the light is not limited to the sun as it is in nature. We continuously illuminate our buildings, streets and every moment of our lives.
In their work “Night Walk”, the artists examine the relationship between the city and the light through images of buildings, reflections and light symbols – the elements most frequently fond in metropolises. A shared perspective of an architect and a glass artist.
AltCity Istanbul is a digital arts residency, bringing artists from Turkey into creative collaboration to explore uses of creative technology to learn new methodologies and produce artwork that engage and speak to the fabric and communities of the city.
It is aimed to be a catalyst for improving the awareness of digital art for artists in Turkey, and their ability to make and collaborate on digital art projects for now and the future.
AltCity Istanbul is a partnership project by the British Council and Digi.logue , an interactive platform supported by Zorlu Holding and Zorlu Performing Arts Center to accelerate digital transformation and is produced by Quays Culture , Salford Quays based digital arts producers.
Artistic lead of the residency are Squidsoup , a UK based digital arts group, who specalise in digital media and light art.
Haystack’s Open Studio Residency provides two weeks of studio time and an opportunity to work in a supportive community of makers. The program accommodates approximately 50 participants—from the craft field and other creative disciplines—who will have uninterrupted time to work in six studios studios (ceramics, fiber, graphics, iron, jewelry, and wood) to develop ideas and experiment in various media.
My inspiration themes for the residency are architecture, costructional studies, mixed media, geometry, constructed memories, mental space, organic methodology, geometric formation of elements in space.
June 13-16, 2013
GlassBoston was a four-day event that includes lectures, demonstrations, tours, a film series, gallery exhibitions, dinner, non-juried show & sale, closing party, and pre/post conference workshops. GlassBoston was organized by: MIT Glass Lab, NOCA Glass School @ APG, The Society of Arts and Crafts, & Strattman Design.
Floating World Projects’ current project examines cross-cultural collaboration between Turkish and American artists working in a broad range of mediums. Over the past four years, we have forged relationships with visual artists and musicians in Istanbul with the goal of producing a project based on international artistic partnership. The aim of the project is to explore the many aspects of cross-cultural identity through visual and audio collaboration. The Project consists of four components: collaborative visual artwork, a video component, a series of audio recordings and a multi-media exhibition.
In the summer of 2011, glass artists Ayse Balyemez, Hande Buyukatli and Gulfidan Ozmen traveled to Boston to participate in a residency at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. With Leo, James and Oben Abright they visited New York City for inspiration, later developing silkscreened glass pieces that combine imagery from the city as well as references to Istanbul.
For more information on FWP and upcoming projects, please visit: FWP
