Özbek was invited to Serbia by the curator of the studio, Marijia Petrovic. “Petrovic found my work very interesting after visiting my Web page, and I was invited to the International Art Studio as the first Turkish artist. My exhibition is also the opening show of the Veljevo Festival, which was an honor for me,” Özbek said in an interview with Today's Zaman, adding that she is also very happy that her paintings will be displayed in a Serbian museum. Titled “Yer ve Zamanın Ötesinde” (Across Land and Time), the exhibition parallels the artist's previous shows. “My paintings are on migration, globalism, my feelings about time and space and being in motion,” she says, adding that these are the subjects she has been thinking about in recent years. She describes the main themes of her recent paintings as “being constantly in a state of motion, being beyond countries, continents and even space itself.” “My previous exhibitions, 'Internal Impressions' and 'Cosmos,' were on the themes of the universe, existence and spirituality. These, on the other hand, are about the world,” she says, adding that this is a humanistic journey for peace and unconditional love. She also says she has dedicated this exhibition to peace.
The show features 15 large oil and acrylic paintings produced between 2005 and 2009. “Usually I work with many colors, but in recent years I have produced collections in which I used various shades of one particular color. Depending on the subject matter of the work, sometimes I use geometrical forms in my abstract compositions,” she notes, adding that she uses colors as an image and as a tool for expression.
Özbek has joined many workshops and international exhibitions in the world art scene. “Being in different countries with various artists has enlarged my world. I think art is the only common language for feeling unconditional love, sharing and friendship wherever you are in the world,” she says, underlining that she also makes her country, people and traditions more known in the world through her art.
Özbek's artistic production is not limited to paintings. She has also published two short story collections titled “Gecenin Mavisi” (Blue of the Night) and “Hiç Kimse Bir Başkası Olamaz” (No One Can Be Anyone Else). “Both of my books feature stories on love, loneliness and the daily lives of human beings. I think since I express myself through writing as well, I choose to produce abstract art in my paintings,” she explains. She has also worked on many film, commercial, television and documentary projects. Her show in Serbia will run through Sept. 7. For more information, visit www.setenayozbek.com.
