Download Short BiographyDeniz’s concept-driven works explore the intersections and points of entanglement between economics and nature. She focuses on the human-nature relationship, how the idea of nature is shaped by different value systems throughout history, and today's ecological concerns. Questioning capitalism-led deterioration of nature, Deniz reveals how the system reshapes our perception towards nature with its tacit manipulations. She looks into the different perspectives on value systems by delving into inequality, poverty, and consumer culture. Her recent works revolve around the losses, transformations and extinctions in particular geographies, as well as sites of inequality between humans and non-humans. Critically exposing the faults of consensus-based value judgements, the artist asks whether it is possible to imagine a new relationship with nature and think about its wider potential.
Elmas Deniz graduated from Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Painting, 2003 and Izmir Anatolian High School of Fine Arts, 1998. Her works have been displayed in the 16th Istanbul Biennial, curated by Nicolas Bourriaud, 2019; the 14th Istanbul Biennial, drafted by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, 2015; Colomboscope, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2017; the 5th Gyumri Biennial in Yerevan, Armenia, 2006.
Deniz’s most recent solo exhibition include: Conversation at the Island of Mollusks at Bilsart, 2020; Three Hues of Water, 2019 at Zilberman, Istanbul. Her works have been shown at Boan 1942 Art Space; Seoul, Korea 2022; D21Kunstraum, Leipzig 2022; Videocity, Dresden, Lyon, Basel, 2021-2022; Pera Museum, Istanbul, 2020; MOCAK–Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow, Poland, 2019; Arter, Istanbul 2019; Istanbul Museum of Modern Art 2016; Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, Paris, 2016; DEPO, Istanbul, 2016; SALT, İstanbul 2015; SECESSION, Museumsquartier, Vienna, 2013; La Friche Belle de Mai, Marseille, 2010; Montehermoso, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, 2009; and Platform Garanti CAC, Istanbul, 2005.
She is also one of the co-founders of K2 Contemporary Art Center in Izmir, Turkey. She was awarded IASPIS Artist Grant, 2014 ; Berlin Goethe Institute Cultural Grant, 2007; and has been a resident at Pistoletto Foundation IT, 2011; DIVA Copenhagen, DK, 2008 and Vassl, Karachi, PK, 2006, AIWA Lebanon, 2005. www.elmasdeniz.com