Glorifying the drive forms the foundation of my complete work. The glorification of the drive, in my work, means negation. A negation that stands against the assumptions and the common patterns of sociology, psychology and economics… Our reception of the truth varies, so do our testimonies. Changing our assumptions or re-visiting the drives (concepts that are much-neglected by social sciences), one realizes that the testimonies with regard to the truth lose their validity or they simply prove to be trivial. Here is a question: Is there any true theory or any true narrative that justifies the murder of Abel the nomad by Cain the farmer? The exposition of wrongdoings, changing and transforming them is my main preoccupation. Narrating the worldly phenomena, I refer to “images” and “real data”. I produce stone statues, texts and videos as well as paintings and neon installations.
Şifa Girinci (1985, Muğla) currently lives and works in Berlin. She graduated from Muğla Fine Art School in 2003 and completed her BA at Anadolu University in Fine Arts in 2007.
Major individual exhibitions: “Streptopelia Decaocto” (2017) Gaia Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey; “Changeless” (2007) Haller Youth Center Gallery, Eskisehir, Turkey; “The Anatomy of June” (2005) Anadolu University Gallery, Eskisehir, Turkey. Major participations in collective exhibitions: Contemporary Istanbul (2017) Turkey; “Home” (2017) Evliyagil Museum, Ankara, Turkey; “Tomorrow” (2017) Plato Art & Gaia Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey; “Odtü Art 18” (2017) Metu Culture and Convention Center, Ankara, Turkey; “Open Space Selection”(2016) Mixer, Istanbul, Turkey; “Climate Forum” (2015) Bogazici University Garanti Cultural Center, Istanbul, Turkey; “Energy For Life” (2015) Armaggan Art&Design Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey; “States of Material III” (2015) Armaggan Art&Design Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey; “Neo-Neon”(2015) Plato Art Space, Istanbul, Turkey; “Nature is Calling” (2015) Zorlu Center PSM, Istanbul, Turkey; “Art 7/24 Vol. 3” (2015) Armaggan Art&Design Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey; “Take it or leave it” (2015) Merkur Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey; “Pardon Which Floor?” (2015) Merkur Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey; Contemporary Istanbul (2014) Turkey; Spring Gallery Tour (2012) Spinnerei, Leipzig, Germany; Orient-Express Reloaded (2012) Spinnerei, Leipzig, Germany; Winter Gallery Tour (2012) Spinnerei, Leipzig, Germany; “Informationists” (2011) Art Park Gallery, Antalya, Turkey; The District Festival of Kreuzberg (2011) Berlin, Germany; International Modern Art Festival (2006) Cappadocia, Turkey.
Works by the artist have been exhibited at: Evliyagil Museum, Ankara, Turkey; Spinnerei, Leipzig, Germany; Metu Culture and Convention Center, Ankara, Turkey; Bogazici University Garanti Cultural Center, Istanbul, Turkey; Contemporary Istanbul, Turkey.
Residences: Leipzig International Art Programme (2011-2012) Leipzig, Germany; International, Modern Art Festival (2006) Cappadocia, Turkey.
Exhibition: The quest for a rural heaven