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
Gulfidan Ozmen started her art practice in a family of fine arts graduate parents.
Completed her art education at Istanbul Fine Arts High School-Painting Department and Mimar Sinan University, Fine Arts Faculty, Ceramic and Glass Department, with an MFA degree.
Her glass practice started in university with her apprenticeship in Sisecam, Beykoz Glass Factory. Since 1999 she’s working with glass. She had been a part of multiple installation projects with national and international artists in Turkey and abroad and worked as an assistant with several glass artists.
She had also experienced architectural glass art practices and the glass tile industry. She worked in product development and production processes In Eczacibasi Group, VitrA Tiles.
She gave lectures at her graduate university (MSGSU) and instructed workshops in Pera Museum and her own studio.
Contrasts of the material and color were the strongest highlights of her early period artworks. Questioning the materials’ reflex as an optic impression with inspirations of architecture and nature.
Following years, she continued her artworks by reflecting on her drawing and printing practices on glass and 3D forms. She combined glass and paperwork studies in her artworks and create a layered effect in 2D studies by using the transparency and opacity of glass.
Her recent artworks are very much related to a relationship between space, object, and scale. Techniques and materials may vary depending on her expressions. She always aims to realize her perception of naked structures inspired by architecture, archeology, and nature.
In her practice, the process also becomes an important focal point as much as the work itself. Her techniques of forming glass are correlated with archeological processes and embrace different production techniques in one piece of artwork.
Born in Istanbul in 1978
EDUCATION
2010 MFA, MSGSU, Ceramic and Glass Design Department, Istanbul, Turkey
Thesis Title: “Op Art and Contemporary Glass Art”
Thesis Advisor: Asistant Prof. Irfan Aydın
2000 BFA, MSGSU, Ceramic and Glass Design Department, Istanbul, Turkey
1995 Istanbul Fine Arts High School, Painting Department, Turkey
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2012 “Visual Memory II” Kiziltoprak Art Gallery, Istanbul
2011 “Visual Memory” Galatea Art Gallery, Istanbul
2010 “Silhouettes” Ormo Art Gallery, Istanbul
2009 “Optical Impressions” Enka Dr. Vickers Art Gallery, Istanbul
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020 “Artvital” Multidisciplinary Online Exhibition.
2019 “Onsekiz Ondokuz” VBenzeri Mekan, Istanbul
2019 “Following Troia” Istanbul Archeology Museum, Darphane-i Amire, Istanbul
2017 “Across the Line”, British Council, AltCity Istanbul, Zorlu Digi.logue Space, Istanbul
2016 “Art in Museum” Armaggan Art and Design Gallery, Museum Hotel, Cappadocia
2015 “20th Years Exhibition” Kiziltoprak Art Gallery, Istanbul
2014 “States of Material 2” Armaggan Art and Design Gallery, Istanbul
2013 “Spectra: Glass Works”, Clark Gallery, Lincoln, MA, USA
2013 “+1 Glass” Lincoln Arts Project, Waltham, MA, USA
2013 “Themeless/Contactless 3” Gallery ilayda, Istanbul
2012 “Art 7/24” Armaggan Art and Design Gallery, Istanbul
2012 “Themeless/Contactless 2” Gallery ilayda karakoy, Istanbul
2012 “womenly-cases of women” Halikarnassos Cultural Center, Bodrum-Muğla
2012 “Themeless/Contactless” Gallery ilayda, Istanbul
2012 “armaggan, young output-one” Armaggan Art and Design Gallery, Istanbul
2011 “Invisible Cities” Floating World Projects, The Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, USA
2011 “Interception”, Bir Nokta Art Gallery, Istanbul
2011 “Enerji’k Bakıs” , Istanbul Modern Arts Gallery, Istanbul
2010 L’viv 8th International Blown Glass Symposium Final Exhibition. L’viv National Museum, Ukraine
2010 “Liselim” Tophane-i Amire, Istanbul
2010 Museum of Glass, Red Hot Juried Auction, Tacoma Washington, USA
2010 The Anatolian Enlightenment of Art, Besiktas Contemporary Art Gallery, Istanbul.
2009 Ormo Art Gallery, “Başlangıç” Istanbul
2008 Eskişehir Contemporary Glass Art Museum Collection, Antalya
2008 Eskişehir Contemporary Glass Art Museum Collection, Izmir
2007 Eskişehir Contemporary Glass Art Museum, Eskisehir
2007 Contemporary Turkish Glass Artists, Anadolu University – Eskisehir
2005 Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Ceramic and Glass Department, 75. Students Exhibition, Istanbul
FAIRS
2013 Contemporary’13, International Art Fair, Armaggan Art & Design Gallery, Istanbul
2012 Contemporary’12, International Art Fair, Ilayda Sanat Galerisi, Istanbul
2012 Art Expo Arezzo, International Art Fair. Neo Art Gallery, Italy
2010 “Artist”, International Art Fair, with Enka Dr. Vickers Art Gallery, Istanbul
2009 Contemporary’09, International Art Fair, with Arda Art Gallery, Istanbul
ARTIST TALKS
2022 “STARworks Glass”, Star, NC, USA
2021 “MSGSU-VitrA Ceramic Art Studio” with Yesim Zumrut. (Online)
2020 “Tasarım Parkı” talking about art practices, with Sanel San (Online)
2019 Artist Talk at Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Fine Arts Faculty, Canakkale
2019 Artist Talk at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Ceramic and Glass Department.Istanbul
AWARDS/ GRANTS/ SCHOLARSHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS
2018 WheatonArts, Creative Glass Center of America Fellow
Turkish Cultural Foundation, 2018 Cultural Exchange Fellow
2016 Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Travel Grant
2013 Turkish Cultural Foundation, 2013 Cultural Exchange Fellow
The Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Travel Grant
2012 Rotary Art Prize, catalog selection
2010 Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Travel Grant
RESIDENCIES & WORKSHOPS
2022 “STARworks Glass”, Star, NC, USA
2018 “MSGSU – VitrA Ceramic Arts Studio Programme”, Istanbul, TR
2018 WheatonArts, Creative Glass Center of America Fellowship, Millville, NJ, USA
2018 “The Creative Enterprise Programme” British Council, Atölye, Istanbul, TR
2017 “AltCity Istanbul” British Council Digital Arts Residency, Istanbul, TR
2016 “Open Studio Residency” Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME, USA
2013 “GlassBoston” Glass Conference. Boston, MA, USA
2011 Floating World Projects, Workshop program; Boston, MA, USA
2010 L’viv 8th International Blown Glass Symposium. L’viv, Ukraine
2010 Floating World Projects, Istanbul, TR. Workshop program
2002 Glass Furnace, Istanbul. ‘Kiln Casting’, ‘Sand Casting’ workshop with Sallie Portnoy artist assistant
2002 Glass Furnace, Istanbul. “Mixed Media” workshop with Therman Statom
COMMISSIONED WORKS
2018 Residence in Dikili. Architectural glass project.
2016 Meyer Objects, paperwork for edition
2012 MP Construction, Renaissance Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel, Istanbul
Giclee Digital Prints and Glassworks
COLLECTIONS
STARworks Glass, Star, NC, USA
MSGSU – VitrA Ceramic Art Studio, Turkey.
Museum of American Glass, Millville, NJ, USA.
Cengiz Akıncı Collection, Turkey.
Yalcin Ayasli Collection, Turkey.
Yılmaz Yalcinkaya Collection, Turkey.
L’viv National Museum Collection, Ukraine.
Artam Collection, Turkey.
Eskisehir Contemporary Glass Art Museum Collection, Turkey.
PUBLICATIONS
Gucluturk, Fem. Maison Française, January 2016:49, Page: 112 (Review)
“A Studio and Two Sisters”, Art’ı Mekan, 2014:45, Page:118, 119, 120
Hız, Dilhan. “Silhouettes behind glass with Gülfidan Özmen” Focus Jan – Feb 2011: 23, Page: 80, 81, 82.
Yanık, Figen. “Urban Reflections in Glass”, Sabah daily newspaper, 26th December 2010
Faces/Hundreds of Istanbul – 100 Glass Artist in Istanbul. Gültekin Çizgen. Page 34.
Best of Worldwide Glass Artists Vol.1. Kennedy Publishing. Page 112.
Creativ, 2009:22, Page: 8-9. (Review)
Tasarım, Review of Architecture Interior Design and Visual Arts, 2009:191, Page: 46.
Kohler, Lucartha Women Working In Glass Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 2003:186.
Turkish Ceramic Society VI. International Ceramic Congress, Sakarya
PATE DE VERRE AND VITROMASS IN GLASS FORMING Page:23 2006: 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460.
TEACHING
2022 TA, Pilchuck Glass School, Session 4, Stanwood, Seattle, USA
2015 In Studio, “Silk Screen Printing on Paper” workshops, Istanbul, TR
2015 Pera Museum, “Silk Screen Printing on Wood” workshops, Istanbul, TR
2014 Pera Museum, “Silk Screen Printing on Wood” workshops, Istanbul, TR
2014 Pera Museum, “Warhol Totes” screen printing workshops, Istanbul, TR
2014 Pera Museum, “Glass Within Glass” mixed media glass workshops, Istanbul, TR
2013 Pera Museum, “One in Three” screen printing workshops, Istanbul, TR
2013 Pera Museum, “Ole! Pop Art” screen printing workshops, Istanbul, TR
2008-2014 Lecturer in Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Ceramic and Glass Department, Istanbul, TR
2008 Workshop, “glass and kiln formed techniques”, Akdeniz University, Ceramic Department, Antalya, TR
2006 Seminar, “kiln formed techniques and Vitromass”, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Ceramic and Glass Department, Istanbul, TR
OTHER ACTIVITIES
2015 Product and design advisor in Valens Mosaics, Istanbul, TR
2011 – 2015 Art advisor in Ferer – pigments and colors company, Istanbul, TR
2008 – 2014 Lecturer in MSGSU, Ceramic and Glass Design Department about ‘Contemporary Glass Art’, Istanbul, TR
2004 – 2012 Vitra Tiles, Glass Tile Department; full-time positions as Product Development Specialist, Chief of Production and Product Development Advisor, Istanbul, TR
2003 Therman Statom Studio, Escondido – San Diego, USA. Artist Assistant
Glass Museum Gernheim, Germany – Stories from the Wesser instalation.
Mesa Contemporary Arts Center, USA – Reflexiones en el Agua installation.
Pilchuck Glass School, USA – artist assistant in kids workshop.
Penland School of Crafts, USA – artist assistant.
2003 Cenan Uyanusta Studio, Istanbul. Artist Assistant
2002 Cam Mühendislik Ltd. Istanbul. Designer. Glass Furnace, Istanbul. (Fusing Studio, hot shop)
2001 Schott Desag AG, Grunenplan, Germany. Residency in factory studio. (1 month)
2000 – 2002 Füzyon Teknik Ltd., Istanbul. Fusing glass design and application.
1999 Gioela Suardi ceramic art studio; Bergamo, Italy (3 months)
1998 Şişecam Paşabahçe Hot shop, Istanbul. Aprenticeship with glass master Yusuf Görmüş (3 months)
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
Please send an e- mail to gulfidanozmen197(at)gmail(dot)com
