Irmak Dönmez’s artistic research delves into the phenomenological body, probing how societal and cultural expectations impose distinct meanings upon it. Her work examines the interconnections of bio-politics, gender dynamics, and the intersections of feminist and queer theory. Through intricate and ironic compositions, she critically engages with the social norms that hegemonic institutions associate with our bodies, particularly through patriarchal mechanisms. Utilizing ceramic as her primary medium, Dönmez creates fluid and transitional forms that embody her exploration of identity and critique of commodification—especially of the female body. She reconstructs concepts of motherhood, sanctity, and femininity to challenge deeply entrenched societal norms, which are intricately woven into the fabric of culture and tradition. Her art invites viewers to engage in a dialogue about the complexities of existence and multifaceted representations of identity.
EDUCATION
2019 – 2023 Lecturer & Drawing Instructor
– Işık University: Drawing (for BA:, Visual Communication Design, for MA: Visual Arts)
– Beykent University: Concepts of the Art (for BA: Visual Communication Design)
2018 (July-December) : Fish Factory Creative Center, Internship (Art Residency Managing), Stöðvarfjörður, Iceland
2017 – 2018 : The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Visual Arts, Ph.D. Visiting Teacher/Researcher (Supervisor: Prof.
Angela Melitopoulos)
2016 – : Isik University Graduate School of Social Sciences, Ph.D. in Art Theory (Grant)
(Started searching about Oedip / Anti-Oedip on Contemporary Art)
2015 – 2017: Worked as a Research Assistant at Isik University, Visual Arts
2011 – 2014: Isik University, MFA, Painting. Thesis: Freudian Dream Theory and Surrealists (Grant)
2007 – 2011 : Isik University, Faculty of Fine Arts; BA, Visual Arts /Painting
(Grant- Graduated with degree)
2001 – 2005 : Mimar Sinan High School of Fine Arts; Painting (Grant)
ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS
2020: Creative Idea Through the Frame of Freudian Theory, Aydın University, Art & Design Symposium, Istanbul
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
“My Thoughts Are Breaking My Hair”, Gallery Q, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2018
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024: Borderland, Confort Mental, Paris
2024: Centre Pompadour, France (Residency granted by the jurors)
2021: Kunsthalle Mannheim, “Mother”
https://www.kuma.art/en/mother
2021: Salzburg Summer Academy, “Rossella Biscotti: Making Spatial Stories” (Residency granted by the jurors)
2021: Aksanat, “Infinity” İstanbul
2021: Mixer Sessions V, İstanbul
2020: Mamut Art Project, İstanbul
2019: Invisible Cities, Endecameron 2019, Castello di Rocca Sinibalda, Rome
2019: The Function of Progress, Autonomous Art Machines, Nesin Mathematics Village, Izmir
2019: Invisible Cities, Endecameron 2019, Castello di Rocca Sinibalda, Rome (Residency granted by the jurors)
2018: Rundgang, The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Visual Arts, Copenhagen
2014: “On Screen Project” Saatchi, London
2013: Clinic of Art- Bipolar, Mine Sanat, Istanbul
2012: Art Colony of Galicnik, Macedonian National Museum, Skopje
2012: “Form Fatale”, Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts, Salzburg
2010: 5. International Student Trienal (Selected Work : Lacrimosa), İstanbul
2009: “Ustalar ve Çıraklar”, Nişantaşı Gallery Isik, İstanbul
2008: Mittelmeer Biennale Köln, Statt Museum, Cologne ” (Residency granted by the jurors)
FAIRS
2024: Art Paris, Martch Art Project, Paris
2024: Contemporary İstanbul, Martch Art Project, İstanbul
2023: Art Paris, Martch Art Project, Paris
2022: Artweeks Akaretler, Martch Art Project, İstanbul
2022: Contemporary İstanbul, Martch Art Project, İstanbul
2021: Ci Bloom, Ambidexter, İstanbul
2015: Tuyap Art Fair, Amarcord, Istanbul
2011: Art Beat, Myra Galleries, Lütfi Kırdar Convention & Exhibition Centre, İstanbul
AWARDS
Pera Rotary Club, “Prix d’Excellence de Vocation Professionelle” 2016-2017