KunstBewusst: One Career In Three Periods: Füsun Onur from 1950's to 2000's

This KunstBewusst lecture will be held in English!
→ This lecture is in English language - Please find the English version below!

What is it about?

The lecture will focus on the extent to which generational spans can affect an artist's career. Such an approach offers a unique opportunity to understand the cultural changes in Turkish history over the last 70 years.

While tracing the artistic trajectory of Füsun Onur, a pioneer of Turkish contemporary art, the lecture will shed light on the different periods she lived through and uncover the prevailing influences at the time.

Specifically, it will focus on three periods: the formative 1950s, when Füsun Onur studied sculpture at the Academy and graduated; the period after 1968, when she returned to her home country after completing her master's degree in the United States and became involved in the Turkish art scene; and finally, the period after 1990, which is characterized by an increased interest in her work and in her identity as an artist. We are currently in this last period, in which contemporary Turkish art and its institutions have developed significantly.

Who is our guest?

SÜREYYA EVREN has published numerous novels, short stories, essays, art criticism, compilations, research volumes, children's books, poetry books and translations. He lectures on modern and contemporary art and art sociology and works as an editor for numerous art projects. He is currently editor-in-chief of the exhibition space "Arter" in Istanbul.

***English version***

What's the lecture about?

The lecture is centered around exploring the extent to which generational timeframes can impact an artist's journey, a journey that we will delve into. This provides a unique opportunity to comprehend the cultural shifts that have occurred in Turkish history over the past 70 years.

As we trace the artistic trajectory of Füsun Onur, a trailblazing figure in Turkish contemporary art, the lecture will prioritize the notion of revisiting the various periods she navigated and uncovering what influences were prevalent during those times.

The lecture will specifically concentrate on three distinct periods: the 1950s, a time that witnessed her formative years, her entry into the Academy as a sculpture student, and her graduation; post-1968, an era marked by her engagement in an existential struggle within Turkey's artistic landscape after obtaining her master's degree in the United States and returning to her homeland; and finally, post-1990, a phase marked by heightened interest in her work and her identity as an artist. We are now in this last period which also saw significant advancements in Turkish contemporary art, coupled with its institutional growth.

Who is our guest?

SÜREYYYA EVREN published many novels, storybooks, essays, art criticism, compilations, research books, children's books, poetry books and translations; lectured on modern and contemporary art and sociology of arts at many institutions; worked as editor for many art projects. Evren now works as the editor-in-chief at "Arter", Istanbul, Turkey.