Q&A with artist Irmak Donmez: “We won’t quit until we all have the same rights.”
Turkish artist Irmak Donmez, known for exploring and challenging societal norms, tells us about how her experiences have influenced her art, the inspiration behind her series 'The Feast', and why she created the sculpture 'Oedipus's Birthday Cake'.
You trained as an artist in Turkey and hold a Ph.D. in Art Theory from Işık University. Can you tell us how Istanbul influenced your work?
I love Istanbul. It is a city with such powerful energy. Sometimes it is overwhelming but I can't live without it. Istanbul might be truly disorganised and very far from perfect but it has a soul, this city has been through a lot. We have been through a lot together.
How did your first solo show, 'My Thoughts are Breaking My Hair' in Copenhagen come about?
My first solo show, 'My Thoughts are Breaking My Hair,' was held in Copenhagen, where I was an exchange student at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. I had never worked with ceramics before I went to the Royal Danish Academy as I thought ceramics were just for traditional artists. However after being introduced to clay, it changed everything.
You recently took part in Art Paris Art Fair. Can you tell us about the work you presented here and about this experience?
That was my very first international art fair and I was very surprised that my art caught the attention of Parisians at this year's art fair. I wish I could be there to sense the energy and meet with people. But I'm excited to be coming back next year and to see how my work is progressing in the wider world. I'm especially excited that my representative gallery, Martch Art Project, has a new gallery opening up in Paris soon.
Dear Past by Irmak DonmezWith 'Dear Past', a ready-made sculpture you created in 2021, you reflected on the threats women face. How did you use your own tragic experiences witnessing femicides to create this piece?
It is a real story of a Turkish woman called Çilem Dogan, who was a victim of domestic violence in her marriage. In an act of self defence, she killed her husband who had abused her for years and forced her to work as a sex worker. She surrendered to the police right after she killed her husband and during her walk to the courthouse on the same day, she was captured wearing a t-shirt with the slogan:
Dear past, thanks for all the lessons.
I think that scene affected us a lot. In fact, It still gives me goosebumps. Unfortunately, for many years femicides have been a big problem in Turkey and despite this, the government rejected the İstanbul Convention that was set legally binding standards specifically to prevent gender-based violence, protect victims of violence and punish perpetrators.