ESRA GÜLMEN | Art Düsseldorf

Esra Gülmen @ Art Düsseldorf | Galerie Judith Andreae Booth J07

Exhibiting within the section "Solo and Projects" under the theme “Love is the Answer”, Esra Gülmen explores love in all its facets, from romantic ideals to chosen and familial bonds, as well as its social and political dimensions. The selected works, presented by Galerie Judith Andreae at Booth J07, reflect both euphoric moments of happiness and the darker sides of love.

Berlin-based artist Esra Gülmen (*1986, Istanbul) creates contemporary iconography rooted in today’s visual culture while drawing from the past. Her playful, ironic works reveal social codes, the human condition, and everyday obsessions. She torpedoes idealized narratives in contemporary art, using irony and parody while fluidly navigating the boundaries between sculpture and painting.

Her provocative series Uncensorable playfully reverses oppression through mosaic panels— censoring what society tries to hide: love, dissent, intimacy. Using ceramic tiles, a staple of Islamic art, Gülmen challenges cultural constraints. What began as a response to censorship in Middle Eastern countries now explores broader suppression—whether by government, religion, society, or internalized fear. The technique itself becomes a statement, covering yet revealing suppressed expression.

For her solo presentation at Art Düsseldorf, two new pieces debut: One reflects on suppressed relationships via a secret love letter, inspired by the Berlin Wall’s emotional separation. The other, a duvet installation, examines integration, displacement, and belonging—framing integration as a two-way process of change. Beyond mosaics, Gülmen’s broader practice includes language-based installations and sculptures exploring emotional contradiction.

Art Düsseldorf April 11-13, 2025