Opened on April 17, 2025 at Meshru, “Kezban’s Cabinet of Curiosities” brings together the multifaceted body of work of Kezban Arca Batıbeki, one of the distinctive figures of contemporary art. The exhibition unites the objects, memories, images, and conceptual threads the artist has collected over the years through an aesthetic language.

The starting point of the exhibition is Batıbeki’s practice of collecting. The artist describes it as follows:

"Creating a collection as a form of escape from the world... It’s about developing a passion for the things you’re curious about, interested in, and love—then bringing them together. In fact, the very foundation of museology begins with these cabinets of curiosities."

Known in art history as the “Wunderkammer” or “Cabinet of Curiosities,” this concept evokes the curiosity-driven collecting practices of the past. In Batıbeki’s hands, however, it transforms into a critical narrative of both personal memory and female representation.

ART, COLLECTION, WOMEN AND THE SERPENT

The works featured in the exhibition are multi-dimensional pieces composed of installations, paintings, collages, and antique materials. Batıbeki emphasizes her focus on female representation, stating:

“I collect various objects, but I make an effort to focus on women… By reflecting the imprint of my home and studio in this space, I wanted to give the audience a sense of touching my life, even if just a little.”

Another recurring symbol in her work is the serpent. Her relationship with this symbol has evolved over time:

"I used to be terrified of them as a child... But as I explored mythology—and especially the serpent iconography related to women—I realized that the symbol represents healing, poison, and also culture. Each painting you see in this exhibition represents a Greek goddess symbolized by a different serpent."

BEYOND POP ART: AT THE INTERSECTION OF IDENTITIES

Often labeled a “Pop Art artist,” Batıbeki positions herself beyond this definition:

“I didn’t set out to be a Pop Artist. Perhaps because of my graphic design background, my work overlaps with that aesthetic, but I prefer to define myself as a figurative painter and contemporary artist.”

In one of her works, she transforms an anatomical poster of a male body into a figure of a zenne (a traditional male belly dancer). In this piece, she intersects the search for gender identity with the experience of womanhood:

"The search for identity in women is very similar to that of a queer individual. Bodies that society excludes, warns, shapes… While creating these works, I questioned those overlaps."

TECHNIQUE AND APPROACH

Batıbeki’s technical approach generally revolves around collage and mixed media on acrylic. Antique educational posters serve as the foundation, transformed into contemporary art through added layers of meaning.

“Whenever I find these old anatomy posters, I buy them. I love transforming them through collage and assigning them new meanings. For me, it’s a way of reckoning with both education and art.”

EXHIBITION INFORMATION

📍 Venue: Meshru, Istanbul
🕒 Visiting Hours: Every day except Monday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🎟️ Admission: Free

“Kezban’s Cabinet of Curiosities” is not just an exhibition; it is a space of memory, a female archive, and a gateway into the artist’s inner journey. We invite everyone who wishes to witness this unique narrative at Meshru to experience this multi-layered exhibition.