Voices in the Hamam: How ‘Story Untold’ Illuminated Women’s Stories at IMFW

Meet the artists.

Art has a special way of connecting people and sharing stories across different cultures, and this was beautifully showcased at the Istanbul Modest Fashion Week. Held in the historic Fişekhane Hamam, the “Story Untold” pop-up exhibition from April 25th to 27th brought together the creative works of women artists in a setting that’s as rich in history as it is in beauty.

The exhibition featured Sinem Sezgin Bozkurt, Ecem Naz Dalmaz, and Sıla Şehrazat Yücel, who used mediums like oil paint, gouache, and digital tools to explore and express women’s experiences. Their artworks, set against the backdrop of the ancient Turkish hamam, made a powerful statement about the unique perspectives of women in both art and society.

highlights from istanbul modest fashion week, displaying art in the Turkish ham
“Boş Pusula” by Sinem Sezgin Bozkurt

Sinem Sezgin Bozkurt, with her background from the Florence Academy of Art and experiences in New York, used photomontage and appliqué to piece together personal and societal fragments into striking hybrid portraits. These works created a new ‘sense of reality’ that deeply resonated with attendees, forging a strong emotional connection.

Ecemnaz Dalmaz’s paintings explored the mythological and the unconscious, blending them with modern elements to critique contemporary societal norms. Her art, rich with personal and communal narratives, served as a poignant confrontation with the viewer’s own societal consciousness.

Innocence by Sıla Şehrazat Yücel

Sıla Şehrazat Yücel, merging her expertise in architecture with her artistic pursuits, utilized AI to produce surreal photographic syntheses. Her approach showcased the magical potential of modern technology when combined with traditional creative disciplines, offering a fresh perspective on artistic expression.

The “Story Untold” exhibition at the Istanbul Modest Fashion Week not only highlighted the role of art as a powerful form of communication and connection but also provided attendees with a profoundly beautiful experience within the historic ambiance of a Turkish hamam.

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