15 October–7 December 2013
Private view: Tuesday 15 October, 17–21h
Pi Artworks London
55 Eastcastle Street
London W1W 8EF
Volkan Aslan / Nezaket Ekici / Susan Hefuna / Horasan / Nejat Sati / Gülay Semercioğlu / Mehmet Ali Uysal
Marking its first foray onto the London art scene, pioneering Turkish gallery Pi Artworks is proud to announce Pi: Housewarming, its inaugural exhibition in the British capital. Opening on 55 Eastcastle Street, in the heart of London’s bustling Fitzrovia district, the exhibition will act as a sneak peek of the gallery’s programme for the upcoming year and features works by both established and emerging Turkish and international artists, including Volkan Aslan, Nezaket Ekici, Susan Hefuna, Horasan, Nejat Sati, Gulay Semercioglu and Mehmet Ali Uysal.
Pi Artworks is one of Istanbul’s foremost contemporary art galleries. Established in 1998 by Yesim Turanli, it is currently located in the famous Misir Apartmani in Galatasaray, Beyoglu and is responsible in large for the establishment of Turkish artists on the international art circuit.
Says Pi Artworks Founder and Director, Turanli: “Having run the Istanbul branch of Pi Artworks for 15 years, and taken part in international art fairs since 2004, it has been extremely gratifying to see the increased international recognition of Turkish contemporary art and artists. Further, with the opening of Istanbul Modern as well, this interest has been rising at an exponential rate. Istanbul is an extremely dynamic and active arts hub, and I felt it was time to expand to another cultural crossroads, and London is the perfect platform. The synergy between London and Istanbul works well, and I hope to both provide access to Turkish and international artists to existing collectors here in London, as well as introduce British audiences to the rich, original and dynamic art that is coming out of Turkey.”
To this effect, internationally renowned German/Egyptian artist Susan Hefuna will present a series of drawings and silver bronze sculptures, while Turkish Gulay Semercioglu will show some of her iconic woven metal pieces, the sheen of hundreds of kilometres of thin metal wire reflects different plays of light. Volkan Aslan‘s metamorphosed and re-appropriated porcelain figures create a phantasmagorical world of their own, while Mehmet Ali Uysal continues his play with space and form through drooping, empty frames, reminiscent of meat hanging from a butcher’s hook. Meanwhile, Nejat Sati creates ethereal colour palettes in acrylic, creating floating, serene works that are contrasted with Horasan‘s intricately detailed and yet smooth oils on canvas. Finally, performance artist Nezat Ekici presents a series of stills from her performance, Flesh (No Pig But Pork).
Mehmet Ali Uysal, Nezaket Ekici, and Volkan Aslan will be present for the opening and available for interview from 11 to 18 October. For artist interviews or commentary from Pi Artworks London Founder and Director Yesim Turanli, please contact awt [at] piartworks.com or yt [at] piartworks.com, or visit www.piartworks.com.
Pi Artworks
Pi Artworks was founded by Yesim Turanli in 1998 in Istanbul and for the past 15 years, has been introducing Turkish and international artists to the primary market. Since its founding, Pi Artworks has been committed to showcasing the best of contemporary Turkish and international art to Istanbul’s growing art scene, alongside providing an international platform for its roster of artists to showcase their work. The gallery is located in the famous historical Misir Apartment in Istanbul and in October 2013 Pi Artworks London will open on 55 Eastcastle Street, in the heart of London’s bustling Fitzrovia.
