Emel Genç

Art Perspective;
“Memory Cabinets Series” (Cabinets)
This is a modern reflection of movements often referred to as "memory art" or "archival art" in the art world. The artist aimed to concretize abstract memories by confining personal or social history within a physical object (cabinet/box). "Memory Cabinet" is not just a display space; it is an attempt to stop the flow of time and fix the fleeting nature of the past.

Memories are scattered and fragile in our minds. By placing these memories inside a wooden frame or cabinet, a safe haven is built for them. The cabinet is both a protective shield and a symbol of privacy.
Memory cabinets do not leave nostalgia inside merely as a feeling. They also fix it as an emotional seal imprinted on specific moments in the past. This approach aims to convey the message that "The past is not just an image, but a tangible burden and legacy." Using this layered structure, "The Memory Cabinet" invites each individual to engage in an internal reckoning with their own past. While freezing the past like a "museum," it argues that memories should be taken from dusty shelves and reinterpreted in the light of the present.

"The Cluttered Showcase Series" (Canvases)
My art practice questions the non-linear flow of life and the selective ways the mind remembers through the concept of the "Cluttered Showcase." While a showcase is normally a space for arrangement and presentation, in my world, this concept transforms into a stage representing the dusty, complex, and sometimes intertwined nature of memories. The mind stores memories not in alphabetical order, but according to their emotional intensity. The "cluttering" seen in my works is actually a reflection of this natural mental hierarchy. Broken doors, silhouettes behind wire mesh, and hanging photographs glorify that "unorganized" state of life.
Forms are thresholds of transition from past to future, from dream to reality. In the "Cluttered Showcase," each door is a monument to the indecision we have about exactly what to close or what to leave open.
The anonymous silhouettes that appear in my works belong not to an individual story, but to the common memory pool of humanity. They are "ghost memories" wandering within this cluttered display case, sometimes appearing as a stain, sometimes as a guide. The layered surfaces and aged textures I use salute the destructive yet transformative power of time. A smooth surface lies; yet cracks, stains, and layers of paint are the most honest evidence of lived experience. "My display case is cluttered because life has never been neat enough to fit into a single box."

Course and Participation Certificates;

* Mimar Sinan University Pedagogical Formation (2014)
Tishreen University The Higher Institute of Languages (English) Lattakia/Syria (2010)

* 12th International Creative Drama in Education Seminar (2008)

* Contemporary Drama Association - Preschool Creative Drama (2008)

* Special Effective Communication Programs Course (English) (2006)

Awards;

2007 - Mustafa Kemal University 13th Spring Festival Painting-Sculpture Competition, Jury 3rd Place Award / Antakya

Personal Exhibitions;

2022 “Rooftop Railings” Orenda House / Antakya / Hatay
2021 “Fragmented Traces” / Antakya Mahveli Area / Hatay
2015 “Meeting Day” / Barış Manço Cultural Center / Kadıköy / Istanbul

Events;

2025 – “Atlas of Beginnings” New Year Exhibition / Çetinkaya Art Gallery / Ankara
2025 – Group Exhibition as part of the 106th Anniversary Events of the First Turkish Women's Rally on December 10th / Kastamonu
2025 – “Art Heals” February 6th Earthquake Commemoration Exhibition / Antakya / Hatay
2025 – “Jede Farbe Zahlt Gemeinsam Sind Wir Ein Meisterwerk (81 Provinces 81 Teachers)
Painting Exhibition) / Germany
2025 – ArtNouva Art Fair / Ankara
2025 – 42nd Artsuites Contemporary Art Days / Bodrum / Yalıkavak
2025 – Belo Blato International Art Colony / Serbia
2025 – “Stone Hills” International Urfa Art Workshop / Şanlıurfa
2025 – İzmir Art Fair / IAAF / İzmir
2025 – March 8th Women's Day National Women Artists Painting Exhibition / Ayvalık/Balıkesir
2025 – “The Color of Brotherhood in Art” Baku Painting Workshop / Azerbaijan / Baku
2025 – Adana Contemporary Art Fair / Adana
2025 – 14th Day Art Exhibition / Alanya
2024 – Mersin Contemporary Art Fair / Mersin
2024 – Konya Nov Hotel International Painting Workshop / Konya 2024 – ArtNouva Art Fair / Ankara

2024 – Türkonfed Business World Painting Exhibition / Hilton Garden Inn Mardin / Artuklu / Mardin
2024 – ArtContact Istanbul 4th International Contemporary Art Fair / Artist / Istanbul
2024 – 9th Mehmet Nuri Göçen Foundation International Painting Workshop / Kuşadası / Aydın
2024 – “Becoming More Hopeful” Painting Exhibition/Director/Artist/ Sam Frans Hotel/Antakya/Hatay

2024 - “Art Unites” February 6 Earthquake Commemoration “Rubble Street” Painting Exhibition / AntakyaHatay
2022 - “Let’s Talk About Art Now” Painting Exhibition/ Başçavuşoğlu Law Office/ Ankara
2022 - 7th Orantes International Contemporary Art Festival Workshop / Antakya/Hatay
2022 - International Group Exhibition/ Athens / Greece
2022 - “We Are Beautiful Together” 81 Provinces Teacher-Student Painting Exhibition/ Antalya
2021 - International Group Exhibition/ Varna / Bulgaria
2021 - “Let’s Talk About Art Now” Painting Exhibition/ Başçavuşoğlu Law Office/ Ankara
2021 - 6th Orantes International Contemporary Art Festival Workshop / Antakya/Hatay
2021 - Our Republic 98th Anniversary Painting Exhibition / Orange Blossom Residence / Ankara
2021 - “We Are Beautiful Together” 81 Provinces Teacher-Student Painting Exhibition / Bursa
2021 - “Art Wind in Çeşme” Valör Art Gallery Painting Exhibition / Çeşme / İzmir
2021 - “What on Paper” Valör Art Gallery Painting Exhibition / Çankaya / Ankara
2020 - Near East University Modern Art Museum Exhibition / Cyprus
2020 - Golden Ratio Art Gallery / Women's Day “Woman” Exhibition / Adana
2019 - “We Are Beautiful Together” 81 Provinces Teacher-Student Painting Exhibition / Tatvan
2019 - 28th International Art Colony / Vonyarcvashegy / Hungary
2019 - Valör Art Gallery New Year Exhibition / Çankaya / Ankara
2017 - Saküder 12th Year Art Meeting Painting Exhibition / Ankara
2016 - Aşiyan Cafe – Restaurant Mural Project / Antakya
2014 - Beşiktaş Municipality Mural Project / Istanbul 2012 - International Bedesten Festival / Antakya

2010 - 2nd International Antakya Biennial / Antik Han İs Hanı / Antakya
2009 - Participated in the Contemporary Drama Association, “Creative Drama in Preschool Education” program
2008 - 1st International Tehran Biennial / Iran
2008 - İnönü University 3rd National Painting Competition Exhibition / Malatya
2008 - “Culture Tenants” / Mixed Painting Exhibition / Municipality Building / Antakya
2008 - Participated in the International Creative Drama in Education Seminar program
2008 - Mustafa Kemal University Engraving-Printmaking Exhibition / Antakya
2007 - 68th State Painting and Sculpture Competition Exhibition / State Painting and Sculpture Museum / İzmir
2007 - Çukurova University Painting-Sculpture Competition Exhibition / Adana
2007 - Hatay Governorship Human Rights Activities “Individual Disarmament” / Mustafa Kemal University / Group Painting Exhibition / Municipality Building / Antakya
2005 - Mustafa Kemal University / Group Painting Exhibition / M.K.U. Gallery / Antakya