Untitled
Medium: Ceramic Panel

Mehves Demiren was born on April23rd. 1959 in Istanbul, Turkey. She has studied sociology at the University of Strasbourg in France.

In 1985 a famous Turkish artist, Mrs. Ayfer Karamani, initiated her to the art of ceramics and apprenticed at her workshop for seven years. Her first solo exhibition was in 1989 and she has taken part in numerous solo and joint exhibitions both in Turkey and abroad, namely Amsterdam, Paris, Florence, Grasse (south France) and Berlin.

The rich culture and historical past of Anatolia has been a major source of inspiration to Mehves. She is keenly aware of the rare privilege of being able to live and work in a land that has been the home of countless civilizations.

Her research into Ottoman art and architecture introduced her to Nicaea (Iznik) tiles, which have become an integral part of her work.

“For twelve years the desire and excitement to contemporize these intricate patters and colours has caused me to intertwine my art with the esthetics of past craftsmanship”

Her aim is interpret Ottoman and Turkish art so that it can be remembered, pondered upon, revisualised and relived.

“Ceramics is a school of art that needs no language to arouse curiosity and excitement. Therefore as an artist of the 21st. century I choose to travel not on the road of universal values of modern art, but rather on the long and thorny road of the traditions of my own culture.

I may not succeed in making ceramics endearing to everyone, but I am happy in my endeavors. Will there be a time when ceramics draw as much attention as painting and sculpture? Will I be able to witness it? I do not know. If this comes true, I will be one of those ho got lost on the way, trying”