This presentation brings together two key series from Öznur Özturk’s oeuvre, unfolding her artistic journey as an ongoing dialogue between past and present, between cultural heritage and change. The works reflect Öznur’s own position between worlds and her search for reconciliation amidst clashing cultures and identities.
The Belgian-Anatolian artist explores how identity is shaped through encounters between cultures and generations.
Through photography, video, installations, and painting, she creates works in which personal memories and collective narratives intertwine.
Her practice is rooted in the intergenerational and intercultural exchange that characterizes our society. Themes such as family, femininity, and the transmission of traditions play a central role. How do rituals and customs change when passed on to the next generation? And how can diverse cultural backgrounds enrich one another instead of dividing?
In her recent work, Özturk combines archival photographs with painting. Old portraits or childhood images are reworked with paint, patterns, and symbolic motifs. Sometimes, faces disappear behind vibrant color accents, creating a balance between anonymity and recognizability. Other works are surrounded by decorative shapes, trees, or carpets that evoke landscapes from both Anatolia and Europe.
Through these interventions, the meaning of the photograph shifts—from mere documentation to a layered narrative about memory, migration, and transformation. The everyday image becomes a symbol of cultural dialogue.
The result is a series of mixed-media works that are both intimate and universal. They bear the marks of personal history, while inviting recognition and reflection from a broader audience. In doing so, Özturk creates an open space in which identity is seen as something constantly evolving—never fixed, always in the making.
Öznur lives in As and works in Antwerpen and has been building an exhibition parcour for several years. Graduated as a Master in Fine-arts photography her works consist of video, photography, drawing and text. The diverse form of aesthetics is a conscious choice that each connect to the content
In collaboration with The Building
Dates wednesday 24 September – Sunday 9 November 2025
Location Bureau Europa, platform for architecture and design
Admission Free