artlounge Selects
artlounge Selects is a curated digital feature dedicated to spotlighting exceptional works by artists whose practices align with the ethos of our gallery. While not currently part of the physical exhibition, these pieces are carefully chosen to offer new perspectives and enrich our broader artistic dialogue.
This section reflects our commitment to supporting a diverse range of voices and making distinctive works accessible to our online community. All artworks are available for direct purchase and presented with the same curatorial care as those exhibited in our space.
Discover something special — from emerging statements to timeless reflections.
artlounge Selects: Deniz Karakurt Sekerci
Artist statement
This theme lies at the heart of her artistic expression, where she addresses the issue of gender inequality. As the artist notes, while some progress has been made — albeit in small steps — these challenges remain deeply entrenched.
Now, as an adult woman, she frequently finds herself revisiting memories from her childhood. These moments often bring back the emotional weight of experiencing gender-based marginalisation. She reflects in particular on the question: in our society, what does a child feel when they begin to understand their gender? What do they experience? What must they sacrifice? What do they lose? What are they forced to become?
She poses powerful, open-ended questions:
Will these children limit themselves in what they aspire to do or achieve? Will they be free to live as their true selves? Or will they face early marriage, societal pressure, or violence simply because of their gender?
Biography
Deniz Karakurt Sekerci was born in Denizli and continues her artistic practice from her studio in Antalya, Turkey. In addition to her solo exhibitions, she has participated in numerous national and international group shows and workshops. Her works are included in private collections and have received recognition in various art competitions.
Recognised as a representative of contemporary art, Karakurt Sekerci can be described as an expressionist at heart. Her creative journey often begins with a single image, unfolding through complex, layered processes before arriving at the emotional depths of her own inner world. The figures and forms in her paintings are projections of an internal, spiritual lens — a kind of visual autobiography that transcends the purely visible.
In her recent works, she incorporates traditional crochet techniques onto canvas, creating authentic and tactile pieces. By using a craft historically associated with women, she continues to question and reflect on themes of womanhood, identity, and societal roles through a contemporary lens.
Education
She graduated with first-class honours from the Department of Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, Akdeniz University in 2004. In 2007, she completed her Master’s degree in Painting at the same faculty. Her thesis explored “Figurative interpretations of psychological accumulation and its outcomes in the context of the plastic arts as a reaction to introversion.”
Artwork
