Özlem Sulak, TR-Istanbul (*1979)
The Istanbul-based artist Özlem Sulak uses the media of video and photography to deal with her own past, with the history of her family and the different ways her family comes to terms with migration. Her grandmother migrated from Sarajevo, one of her father's sisters went to Germany. She meets this aunt, whom she was oblivious of until recently, in Hanover during her scholarship stay in Hildesheim. She notices that this aunt lives a totally different Turkish tradition than the one she grew up with in Turkey.
Sulak's experiences in Western countries such as Great Britain and Germany and her examination of the stereotypes with which she was confronted, led to a group of works that analyse individual identities and show their instability and ambiguity. She is always concerned with personal freedom and the investigation of different societies and their images.
The video cousin (2005) documents Sulak's trip from Hildesheim to Hanover and the first encounter with her relatives living there. In the video granny (2005), she conducts an interview with her grandmother and great-aunt about their history of immigration from Yugoslavia to Turkey. Viewed together, both films convey a very inconsistent image of Sulak's family. The two elderly, remorseful ladies pull Turkey to pieces and seem to have felt uncomfortable there all their life. The family of the aunt and cousin, on the other hand, leads a very traditional Turkish life in Germany. Where can Sulak herself be positioned? She only allows for a very indirect answer to this question. She also leaves it undecided who is led to where by the Magic Shoes (2002). It is probably only a metaphor.
Özlem Sulak: granny, 2005 Still, Video (9.00 min.)
Curriculum vitae
lives and works in Istanbul
Özlem Sulak: granny, 2005 Still, Video (9.00 min.)
Özlem Sulak: granny, 2005 Still, Video (9.00 min.)
Özlem Sulak: granny, 2005 Still, Video (9.00 min.)
exhibitions, festivals & screenings (selection)
2003
"Wright in time", The Spitz Gallery, London
awards and grants
Akbank Special Award, Istanbul