Loft Art, an art space that opens its doors to independent artists, is hosting the 3rd edition of its prestigious exhibitions, honoring master artists. The new prestigious exhibition, “Songs Inside Me,” is set to welcome art enthusiasts at its venue in Nisbetiye On, Beşiktaş, Istanbul. The exhibition, which can be visited for free until December 1, focuses on internal and external conflicts, as well as the process of transforming personal and social memory into metaphors.

Loft Art operates as a social responsibility project of Akfen Holding, created with the mission of providing space for independent artists. Starting from Wednesday, October 2, the “Songs Inside Me” exhibition will showcase works in various forms, including painting, photography, and video, by Nazan Azeri, an independent female artist who has been producing art consistently for over 30 years.

Curated by Nergis Abıyeva, the exhibition explores connections in aspects such as thematic coherence and color iconography, while also highlighting the strong ties between Nazan Azeri’s academic work and her artistic practice.

In the “Songs Inside Me” exhibition at Loft Art, Azeri presents works in assemblage, conceptual photography, video art, and painting, focusing on internal and external conflicts as well as the process of transforming personal and social memory into metaphors.

Featuring works that will meet the audience for the first time, the “Songs Inside Me” exhibition makes visible the relationships between Azeri’s earlier works and her “Forgotten Time and Now” series, which she began in the summer of 2021 in Ayvalık and has continued in various forms to this day.

LOFT ART HOSTS VALUABLE ARTISTS THROUGH ITS PRESTIGIOUS EXHIBITION SERIES

Akfen Holding aims to support young artists and provide space for independent artists producing works across all disciplines through its first project, Loft Art. The space holds prestigious exhibitions annually, showcasing valuable artists and connecting them with art enthusiasts.

With the goal of creating equal opportunities in art, Loft Art welcomes both art lovers and their works. Previously, as part of its Prestige Exhibitions series, it featured Muzaffer Akyol and Gaye Su Akyol with the titles “Disobedient Roots – The Immortal Tree Resists,” along with Mehmet Güleryüz, a pioneer of expressionism in Turkish art history.

About Artist Nazan Azeri

Nazan Azeri (1953) graduated from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Law and practiced as a lawyer for a time. In 1989, she began her art education at Marmara University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, where she wrote her master’s thesis titled “First Generation Women Painters in the Westernization Movements” (1996). She has taught at Beykent University and Marmara University.

Azeri’s solo exhibitions include venues such as Karşı Sanat Çalışmaları, Mine Art Gallery, Marmara University Republic Museum, and CDA Projects. Notable group exhibitions she has participated in both domestically and internationally include NordArt 2023 and Istanbul Next Wave. Since the 2000s, Azeri has been producing works in various mediums, including painting, photography, video, performance, and installation.

About the Curator

Nergis Abıyeva is currently pursuing her doctoral studies in the Art History program at Istanbul Technical University. She completed her undergraduate education in the Art History department at MSGSÜ and at the Brera Academy in Milan. She graduated from MSGSÜ’s Master’s program in Western Art and Contemporary Art with a thesis titled “The Art and Life of Tiraje Dikmen.”

Recent group exhibitions she has participated in include “Constructed Nature” (Quick Art Space, 2023) and “Another Atlas of Women Artists” (Tophane-i Amire Culture and Art Center, 2022).

About Loft Art

Loft Art was established to create an exhibition space for independent artists to showcase their works. Aiming to create equal opportunities in the art market, Loft Art connects independent artists producing works in various mediums with the audience.

Based on the corporate values of Akfen Holding, Loft Art aims to support the production of independent artists and increase their visibility in the art market. The artworks sold in exhibitions at Loft Art also contribute to projects by the Turkey Human Resources Education and Health Foundation (TİKAV).

The Art Directorship of Loft Art is held by Ayşe Jaber, with responsibility under TİKAV Board Member Dilara Akın.