Ghada Amer's 'Aurora' at Dirimart Reclaims Painting Through Embroidery and Erotic Archetypes
Ghada Amer's exhibition titled 'Aurora' is currently on display at Dirimart in Istanbul and will continue until 10 May 2026. This marks her second presentation at the gallery after a gap of 17 years. The exhibition showcases five new works created with acrylic and ink on wood, alongside embroidered canvases, bronze sculptures, and appliqué textiles. Since being denied entry to painting classes in 1980s France, Amer has spent four decades challenging male-dominated art narratives. Her pieces, such as 'A Golden Drip' (2023) and 'Twins' (2023), highlight female empowerment. Collaborations include 'The Grid of 2025 with Pink and Yellow – RFGA' (2025) and appliqué works crafted with artisans from Cairo. Amer's art has faced censorship, notably a sculpture excluded from a New York gallery in 2001. The exhibition's title, 'Aurora,' symbolizes a new chapter, exploring themes of gender and East-West relations.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Aurora' at Dirimart, Dolapdere, Istanbul, runs until 10 May 2026.
- Five new works in acrylic and ink on wood are included.
- Amer was barred from painting classes in France in the 1980s by a male instructor.
- Works include 'A Golden Drip' (2023), 'Twins' (2023), and 'The Grid of 2025 with Pink and Yellow – RFGA' (2025).
- 'The Grid of 2025 with Pink and Yellow – RFGA' is a collaboration with Reza Farkhondeh.
- Appliqué pieces 'Flora (k)' (2025) and 'In the Tent of Suzy and Jennifer' (2025) were made with Cairo artisans using khayamiya.
- Bronze sculpture 'Suzy Playing' (2023) recreates cardboard boxes used as sketching surfaces.
- In 2001, a sculpture inspired by the 'Encyclopaedia of Pleasure' was excluded from a New York gallery.
- In 2003, Panamanian authorities seized Amer's series 'Six Chinese Proverbs'.
- Levent Özmen is international gallery director at Dirimart.
Entities
Artists
- Ghada Amer
- Reza Farkhondeh
- Nawal El Saadawi
Institutions
- Dirimart
- Canvas
Locations
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Dolapdere
- France
- Cairo
- Egypt
- New York
- Panama