top of page
Arzu Arbak

She uses photography as a tool of expression and inquiry. In her individual practice, focusing on questions of existence and the culture–nature dichotomy, the artist invites viewers to ask questions and generate thought through both constructed scenarios and manipulations applied to the photographic image.

Between 2014 and 2022, she continued the project “Visual Conversations,” conceived as a game in which participants took part using their own photographs, working with various groups. Drawing on the experience gained from this project and exploring the inherent potential of photography, she developed and designed the workshops “Thoughtful Dialogues,” “Intersecting Dialogues,” “Visual Conversations with Family Photographs,” “Sketching with Photography,” “Dream Maps,” and “Dream Collection.” These structures, gathered under the umbrella of Visual Conversations, offer a non-hierarchical model of learning and collective production.

Believing in the importance of collective practice, the artist aims to position the workshops she brings together under the title Visual Conversations as an artistic practice in their own right, alongside her individual work.

Within the workshop structures, the game—designed as part of the process and actively involving participants—defines the conceptual framework of each project. The aim is for each participant to contribute to the process in line with their own knowledge and areas of focus. In projects spanning three to five months, participants learn through interaction with one another, establish new connections between concepts, and develop their modes of visual expression. At the end of each process, a digital book, printed book, and/or exhibition presenting the resulting works is produced.

“Crystal Labyrinth” (2024) and “Ğ-ibi” (2024) are collective art books produced as outcomes of these workshops.

“Borrowed Landscapes / mini book” (2025), “Look Closely / mini book” (2024), “Cut / mini book” (2023), “Kire” (2023), “Encounter” (2017), and “Visual Conversations” (ed. 1) (2019, SKA Archive) are among her individually produced artist books.

Her works have been exhibited at various national and international photography festivals, galleries, and art fairs. In addition to her own practice, she continues to develop collaborative projects and conduct workshops with artists from different disciplines.

Sergiler
bottom of page