Painter and sculptor, born 1980 in İzmir.
Nursel Önen (b. 1980, İzmir) is a painter and sculptor. She began making art at a young age and settled in Marmaris in 1997. Soon after, she co-founded a gallery and art centre there and organised exhibitions and art events.
In 2003 she was admitted with distinction to the Art Teacher Education programme of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University. During her studies she took part in various art projects in Türkiye and abroad, creating ceramic panels, sculptures, murals and mosaics.
In 2009 she began a master’s degree in sculpture at the Institute of Fine Arts of Dokuz Eylül University. She wrote her master’s thesis on Anish Kapoor and published academic articles in this field. Her seminar and research on “Wax Sculptures” was archived by Dokuz Eylül University and used during the founding of a museum.
From 2010 to 2013 she worked on ceramic panel and monumental sculpture projects at Ege University and Ege University Hospital. During the same period she taught visual arts.
In 2013 she took part in the 2nd International İzmir Art Biennial as an artist and assistant director. Her installation “Cleavage / Yarılma” at the biennial was covered by the national and international press and was invited to Contemporary Art in Australia to represent Türkiye.
To date she has held 18 solo exhibitions and has taken part in many international biennials, art fairs, symposiums, workshops and group exhibitions. Her work has also been shown in several countries outside Türkiye.
From 2014 to 2019 she worked as a writer and editor for art and culture publications. In 2015 she founded the “Red Art” initiative and organised a range of social awareness projects and events.
Having worked for many years in architectural art and decoration, Nursel Önen has realised numerous original art projects for a wide range of spaces. In her recent work she creates collectible pieces that bring together sculpture, design and contemporary art through Mr Roo, Mori and the other original characters she has developed.
Born in İzmir, where she completed primary, middle and high school.
Joined the work of studios active in the plastic arts.
Involved in founding the Marmaris Municipality Art Centre.
Admitted in first place to the Painting Department of the Faculty of Education, Muğla University.
Founded the Akyaka Municipality Art Centre.
Began a master’s degree in the Sculpture Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir.
Moved to İzmir and founded the Bir-Az Art Centre.
Ceramic and sculpture projects at Ege University and its hospital.
Teacher at a private institution.
Teacher of Visual Arts and of Technology and Design at the Tevfik Fikret Schools, İzmir.
Assistant director of the International İzmir Art Biennial.
Her work was invited to Contemporary Art in Australia, representing Türkiye among ten countries.
Her seminar and research dossier “Wax Sculptures”, presented at the Institute of Fine Arts of Dokuz Eylül University, was approved by the dean’s office and the rectorate and archived. The research was used as groundwork during the founding of the İzmir Wax Museum.
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