Semâ Bekirovic Paints Instead of Taking Vacation Photos

Artist Semâ Bekirovic, known for concept-driven work, has taken up painting as a meditative practice. In a personal essay for Mister Motley, she discusses her recent shift from photography to painting, citing concerns about AI, facial recognition, and data theft that make photographic images problematic. She is currently on vacation in Croatia, where she has chosen to paint rather than take vacation photos. Bekirovic's film 'Imprimatura', in which she paints a nude portrait of her mother while discussing motherhood, women's roles in art and society, expectations, and freedom, will premiere at the Nederlands Film Festival on Monday, September 28, at 21:00 at Kinepolis Jaarbeurs 8 in Utrecht. Tickets will be available from September via the festival's website. The essay encourages readers to paint subjects they wouldn't trust with the internet, such as portraits of children, naked lovers, or friends at a demonstration. She also mentions a plan to paint friends at a demonstration and invites collaboration.