TITLE: "GOYNEK"

“Goynek” is a narrative photography project that started when I faced my mother’s disappearance. I found belongings were mostly handicrafts; almost all of them were unfinished tasks and a “goynek” in her dowery chest, an old, traditional form of lingerie from Turkey; it is tightly twisted when not in use. Coming from the practice of silk weaving, “goynek” is creating a second skin for the woman. I have dwelled and worn it on my tired skin, and I walked out. I found myself glued to the billboard of a woman lying down, advertising lingerie. The symbol at the scene plays on common weaknesses or insecurities for me. Then I continued into a forest and wandered into an area of sawed-down trees. I climbed onto one of the tree trunks and posed in my “goynek,” a sad monument to environmental destruction and loss of culture.
I aim to create a contemporary work using an older technic pinhole camera large-format monochrome film. I really love the blurriness that lets us think the surrealistic, and we effort to understand.

AUTHOR: GULSEN GOKSEL (United States)

Gülsen Göksel is an artist and educator based in Izmir, Turkey; now living in Raleigh, USA. Goksel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Turkey from DEU. (1988)
Gülsen’s career began during her university years, opening collaborative photography exhibitions and receiving prizes for her fine art prints. During working as a graphic designer and art director in various advertising agencies, she also was a lecturer in the fine arts faculty. Over fifteen years of experience in commercial and education areas, she changed paths to pursue her art practice and share her passion for the medium of photography through her narrative projects. She has recently received her certificate in photography from the critically reclaimed International Center of Photography, NY. (2020)
Her personal works have been exhibited in Turkey, Switzerland, New York, Italy, and Spain.

EXHIBITIONS:

2021 International Group Exhibition “Inspired by Words” Curated by LoosenArt Gallery, Rome, September 23
2021 6th edition of the Biennial of Fine Art & Documentary Photography, Barcelona, FotoNostrum Gallery, September 9
2021 International Group Exhibition “Diaries” Curated by LoosenArt Gallery, Rome, December 4,
2020 3rd Annual Chelsea International Photography Exhibition at Agora Gallery, NY, USA, December 17,
2020 ICP One-Year Certificate Programs 2020 Collaborative Exhibition, Online, NY, USA, June 27,
2019 Faculty Member's Collaborative Art Exhibition, NG Art Gallery, Izmir, Turkey, March 18,
2016 Rhodanie Hall, Solo Photography Exhibition, Lausanne, Switzerland,
2006 International School of Busan, Cultural Projects, S.Korea
1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
Exhibitions of Turkish Society of Graphic Design, Commercial Graphic Designs, Turkey
1986 Poster Exhibition for the 6th International Istanbul Cinema Days, Poster Design, Turkey
1986 Viking Awarded Printmaking Competition Exhibition, Ataturk Cultural Center, Izmir, Turkey
1985-1986 Ege University Faculty of Communication Photography Exhibition, Photo-Graphic Works, Turkey
1985 Hacettepe University Art Competition, Photography, Turkey

AWARDS:

2021 The Worldwide Photography Gala Awards, 16th Pollux Awards, Single and Series, Honorable Mention in Open Theme, Barcalona, Spain
2020 The Chelsea International Photography Competition, Award, NY, USA
2017 Chromatic Awards, Photography, Honorable Mention in Culture
1986 Viking Printmaking Competition, Screen Printing, Honorable Mention, Turkey
1985 D.E.U. Commemorating 10th Foundation Year, Poster Competition, Poster, Honorable Mention, Turkey
1985 Hacettepe University Art Competition, Painting, Honorable Mention, Turkey
1985 Hacettepe University Art Competition, Photography, Award, Turkey

PUBLISHING MATERIALS:

2021 Interview published by arthenos.com.
2020 Descriptive video "The Art of Gülsen Göksel" in @AgoraGalleryNY