Hera Büyüktaşcıyan: Exploring Absence and Memory Through Myth & Multidisciplinary Art
Hera Büyüktaşcıyan (born in 1984 Istanbul) is a Turkish artist whose work delves into profound questions about identity, memory, space, and time—themes intricately interwoven with mythological references and expressed through a diverse range of mediums. Her artistic journey began in Marmara University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, Painting Department, where she honed her skills and established a foundational understanding of visual storytelling. From this formative period emerged an artist deeply attuned to the complexities of human experience and committed to confronting challenging concepts like ‘the other.’
- Early Influences: Büyüktaşcıyan’s artistic sensibilities were nurtured by Istanbul's rich cultural heritage, particularly its Byzantine and Ottoman legacies. These historical echoes resonate throughout her oeuvre, informing her exploration of layered narratives and the enduring impact of past events on present realities.
- Conceptual Framework: At the core of Büyüktaşcıyan’s artistic practice lies a preoccupation with absence—the unseen forces shaping perception and experience—and the elusive nature of memory. She employs metaphors drawn from local myths and folklore to illuminate these concepts, creating artworks that invite contemplation on how narratives are constructed and reconstructed over time.
- Multidisciplinary Approach: Büyüktaşcıyan transcends traditional boundaries in her artistic endeavors, embracing installations, sculptures, drawings, performances, and videos as tools for conveying her ideas. This multifaceted approach allows her to engage with various sensory experiences and challenge viewers’ preconceptions about artmaking.
Notable Exhibitions & Awards
Her artistic recognition has garnered considerable acclaim, culminating in prestigious awards and grants—most notably the Emerging Artist Award from Young Turkish Artists Platform in 2010. Büyüktaşcıyan's exhibitions span both Turkey and internationally, showcasing her distinctive vision to audiences worldwide. Key milestones include participation in the New Museum Triennial (2021), Kosovo’s 3rd Autostrada Biennial (2021), London’s British Museum (2021); *On Stones and Palimpsests*, Dubai’s Green Art Gallery (2020); Lahore Biennial 02, Pakistan (2020); Singapore Biennial (2019); IFA Galerie, Berlin (2019); Armenia's national pavilion at the Venice Biennale (2015); and *The Jerusalem Show VII*, Jerusalem (2014). The Toronto Biennial awarded her the Emerging Artist Prize in 2019.
Key Artistic Themes & Techniques
Büyüktaşcıyan’s artistic explorations consistently grapple with notions of resistance to time, surface tension, petrification and the cyclical repetition of erasure alongside rewriting—concepts that permeate her sculptural works and installations. She utilizes materials like industrial carpets juxtaposed with stone fragments to convey a powerful dialogue between permanence and fragility. Her drawings often depict intricate patterns reminiscent of ethnic motifs, mirroring the influence of cultural traditions on artistic expression. Furthermore, Büyüktaşcıyan’s experimental filmmaking incorporates stop motion animation to create immersive narratives that underscore her commitment to pushing creative boundaries.
Recent Projects & Recognition
Her recent projects include “Reveries of an Underground Forest,” an installation exploring the hidden histories embedded within urban landscapes—specifically referencing Toronto's buried forests and their connection to cultural memory. The piece utilizes rolled carpets adorned with burn patterns inspired by ethnic motifs, reflecting Büyüktaşcıyan’s fascination with layering narratives and confronting societal divisions. Her collaborative performance with musician Keerat Kaur delves into Punjabi Folk Music traditions, furthering her exploration of sonic landscapes as conduits for conveying emotional resonance.
