Merve Şendil's 'The Things Behind Our Darkness' at SANATORIUM

SANATORIUM in Istanbul presents Merve Şendil's second solo exhibition, 'The Things Behind Our Darkness,' from November 3 to December 16, 2023. The show features oil paintings and lace works that explore the artist's struggle against daily meaninglessness, using abstract and concrete elements from her perceptual world. The works, referencing her productions since the 2000s, employ a grid system: oil paintings on 2x2 cm squares depict personal moments pixel by pixel, while lace pieces incorporate lyrics from alternative music in the Underscene Project series (since 2007). 'Darkness' serves as a metaphor for the starting point, revealing visual and emotional contrasts that tap into inner voices. The exhibition seeks new forms of stance amid political and social developments, juxtaposing pixelated works in baroque frames with embroidered lyrics from alternative bands.