Deniz Say

My paintings are actually
expressionist manipulation
of earthly materials…

Deniz Say - K23071
Deniz Say Portre
Deniz Say Portre
Deniz Say - k21001

My paintings are actually expressionist manipulation of earthly materials…

What excites me is to transform ordinary materials into extraordinary and evocative works of art…

Because objects, like people, have memories, they are talented, in fact, they’re more valuable than they seem, each contains sociological clues. 

They’ve a common perception in our minds; but what if they’re placed in a work of art in such a way as to distort that perception? If they appear in front of a viewer with a different identity, wouldn’t they induce him/her to think? 

But what if these objects are actually “waste” materials? 

I’ve always looked at the objects we call waste from a different perspective. For me, they were objects waiting to be part of life again, looking forward to be the beginning of a new story, rather than waste. 

This meant that time has come for many materials that I’ve collected since my childhood and couldn’t throw away to be part of life…

The moment I see the waste materials that I come across in one way or another in my daily life, which inspire me, I ask them, “How about setting sail for a new life? First you’ll find your place in an artistic composition, then you’ll be blended with layers of paint, you’ll be watched and changed many times in order for you to be in harmony with the basic elements of a painting such as color, shape, texture, and eventually you’ll take your place on an art lover’s wall as part of the work, what do you think?”  The materials used in all the paintings you see here seem to have accepted my offer…Then lucky me…

Besides all this, there’s also an aspect that I feel sorry for…

Every day we throw away many materials that haven’t completed their useful life.  As we all know, one of the biggest problems in the world today is sustainability.  We consume everything very quickly, we produce more garbage every day that the world can no longer handle. So what are we doing to prevent this? Surely, each of us has work to do on this matter. In this sense, even if it’s a small contribution, I “upcycle” the objects to be thrown away and include them in an artistic environment, thus I’m trying to prove how beautiful and useful they’re…

When I feel that I’ve achieved this, I proceed on my way with the happiness of fulfilling my duty…

CHRONOLOGY

EDUCATION

Deniz Say graduated from International Trade Department of Boğaziçi University, İstanbul ( 1997- 2002 ).  After various professional work experiences, she entered the art world, in which she was interested since her childhood,  working with Altan Çelem.  Simultaneously she started working with Güneş Özmen.  Besides art classes:

2012-2015
Art History
by Arşo Kasparyan

2015
Contemporary and Modern Art History Seminar
Istanbul Modern Museum

2016
Artwork Analysis
MIM85 Art, by Yalçın Sadak

2016
Philosophy
MIM85 Art, by Yalçın Sadak

2016-2017
Modern Art History
MIM85 Art, by Yalçın Sadak

2018
What Is Contemporary Art ? – Artkolik
by Osman Erden

2019
Museums and Art Collections in the World
MIM85 Art, by Esra Aliçavuşoğlu

2019-2020
From Cave Painting to Picasso
MIM85 Art, by Esra Aliçavuşoğlu

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023
“The Second Chapter”, Gallery Marquess, London

2022
“The Survivors”, Zorlu PSM, İstanbul

2022
“Cycle”, Four Seasons Bosphorus Hotel, İstanbul

2022
“Transformation”, Art212, İstanbul

2020
“Metamorphosis”, ISD Art Gallery

2018
“Traces of Life”, Art212, İstanbul

2016
“The Ones I Saved II”, Lucca Art Bebek, İstanbul

2015
“The Ones I Saved”, Galeri Artist Çukurcuma, İstanbul

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2023
“Phoenix” 
The Old Street Gallery, London

2023
“Harmony” 
NG House of Senses

2021
BB Project
Artweeks Akaretler

2020
Selvin Art Gallery
Art Ankara 6. Contemporary Art Fair

2020
Baraz Art Gallery
IAAF Istanbul

2020
NG Agency & Art Works
İstanbul

2020
Artistes Contemporains Turquie
Art Fair Milan

2019
Colorida Art Gallery
Lisbon

2019
Gama Gallery
Step Istanbul Contemporary Art Fair

2019
Galeri Selvin
Art Ankara 5. Contemporary Art Fair

2019
“Art Blend”
Four Seasons Bosphorus Hotel

2018
“İstanbul Art Show”
Hilton İstanbul Exhibition & Convention Center

2018
“ArtShopping” Contemporary Art Fair
Carrousel du Louvre, Paris

2016
“October Gateway”
Marmaris Municipality Culture and Art Center

2016
“Dream Passengers”
Milta Bodrum Marina Ottoman Art Gallery

2016
“Stories of Migration”
Bursa Museum of Migration History

2016
“Naked”
Muğla Sekibaşı Hammam

2016
“When I Woke Up This Morning”
Beylerbeyi Palace Tünel Art Gallery Sanat Galerisi