EXPO CHICAGO 2017 Artist: Hale Ekinci
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Hale Ekinci has been selected as a ShopColumbia EXPO CHICAGO 2017 artist to represent Columbia College Chicago. We asked Hale a few questions about her work and presenting this year at EXPO CHICAGO.
Give us an update about recent projects/artistic life events.
I recently got back from artist residency at ACRE in rural Wisconsin where I started a new series of photo transfer paintings and a short film. Fusing painting, collaged solvent transfers and crochet on paper, in this body of work I reference the rich visual history of Turkish textiles and its method of storytelling to negotiate my hybrid immigrant identity. In general, my work explores the absurd yet serious, traditional but whimsical, complex and simple narratives of the human condition; particularly regarding tribes of people connected by culture, tradition, language or a common cause for the community. The work I will be showing at EXPO is part of this series I started there. Early summer, my latest video “Almanci Gelin (Germaner Bride)” was showcased at Musrara Mix Festival in Israel. It is a magical realist video that takes place at a Turkish traditional ceremony of “asking permission to marry” and explores the stereotypes of Turkish immigrant identity as seen from both Turkish and foreign perspectives.
What will you be presenting at EXPO CHICAGO 2017?
At EXPO I will be presenting my large photo transfer painting "Monument for Feisty Women of My Distant Country". This is the first of the new series I mentioned. Combining images of the collective with abstracted portraits from my heritage, I tell the story of an immigrant like an indigenous tapestry that weave together colorful symbols. Political scenes of the masses peak through layers of textile patterns that portray significant characters from my personal and cultural heritage, abstracted into archetypes. In this iteration, the main figure is inspired by an old photo of my mom in a kilim-rug patterned dress and the images of the masses are from various women's marches in Turkey on issues ranging from women's rights to demanding justice for rising number of domestic violence and murder cases. The crochet as the frame around the image is a reference to the common Turkish crochet ornaments around headscarfs called "oya".
What inspired you to create this series of work?
I'm inspired by the human condition; particularly regarding tribes of people connected by culture, tradition, language or sociopolitical issues. I am attracted to stories that provide a more compassionate perspective on the topic I explore, be it folklore or political unrest. Bizarre cultural and personal stories as well as objects, words, sayings, translations are the backbone of my voice. Recent political turmoil, the rejuvenation of youth through hope and revolt, and the acts of resistance against oppressive states also seep into the fabric of my work.
In what ways do you think you will benefit as a professional artist from EXPO CHICAGO 2017?
Unfortunately I will not be able personally attend the EXPO since I will be in Turkey seeing family while gathering materials for my work. However, I hope that presenting there will help me reach out to a wider audience. Hopefully it will get some traction and make people to explore more of my work.
Artist/Project Statement
My work explores the absurd yet serious, traditional but whimsical, complex and simple narratives of the human condition; particularly regarding tribes of people connected by culture, tradition, language or a common cause for the community. I am attracted to stories that provide a more compassionate perspective on the topic I explore, be it folklore or political unrest. Bizarre cultural and personal stories as well as objects, words, sayings, translations are the backbone of my voice. Recent political turmoil,the rejuvenation of youth through hope and revolt, and the acts of resistance against oppressive states also seep into the fabric of my work.
Fusing painting, collaged solvent transfers and crochet on paper, in this body of work I reference the rich visual history of Turkish textiles and its method of storytelling to negotiate my hybrid immigrant identity. Combining images of the collective with abstracted portraits from my heritage, I tell the story of an immigrant like an indigenous tapestry that weave together colorful symbols. Political scenes of the masses peak through layers of textile patterns that portray significant characters from my personal and cultural heritage, abstracted into archetypes.
Click here to view products available for purchase through ShopColumbia
Website
haleekinci.org
Click HERE to view works available for purchase through ShopColumbia.
EXPO CHICAGO 2017
September 13-17, 2017
Navy Pier, Festival Hall | 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago IL 60611
ShopColumbia Booth #867
Schedule
Wednesday, September 13 6:00pm-9:00pm
*A benefit for the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, presented by the MCA Women's BoarD
Purchase Vernissage tickets here
Thursday, September 14 11:00am-7:00pm
Friday, September 15 11:00am-7:00pm
Saturday, September 16 11:00am-7:00pm
Sunday, September 17 11:00am-6:00pm
Purchase general EXPO tickets here
*Visit our event page for further details and behind the scenes
See ShopColumbia listed as a Special Exhibitor here.
For more details, visit expochicago.com.
*ShopColumbia's storefront at 619 S Wabash Ave will be closed for the duration of EXPO CHICAGO. Visit our Facebook page for updates.