EDUCATION
- 1999 Graduate; Hacettepe University Fine Arts Faculty, Graphic Design Department.
- 2003 MA; “Development of Comics in Japan and Fareastern Cultures”, Hacettepe University.
- 2007 PhD Research and internship; The Royal Academy of Fine Arts Hogeschool Gent, Belgium.
- 2009 PhD; “Abstract Concepts in Illustrated ChiIdren Books”, Hacettepe University.
My artistic practice focuses on illustration, drawing, and graphic design, areas I’ve developed through years of education and experience. With MA and PhD degrees specializing in underground comics and contemporary illustration, I’ve had the opportunity to conduct research in Japan, Germany and Belgium, which have brought new perspectives and inspiration to my work.
Earlier in my career, I worked as a book illustrator, but my focus shifted upon returning to Turkey, where I became deeply influenced by social issues such as children’s and women’s rights. Since then, my work has explored themes like the parent-child relationship, gender equality, and feminism. My art has been exhibited locally and internationally and has been featured in art journals in the United States, Germany, and Turkey. In 2017, I published my first art book in New York.
In 2018, I completed a research project titled “Contemporary Illustration Education” at the Berlin University of the Arts, exploring the connection between art and education. Alongside my roles as an artist and lecturer, I founded “Axis Mundi,” a local brand that merges clothing and art prints with creative expression.
ABOUT ART
- http://www.academia.edu/5606312/Elif_Varol_Ergen_-_Incognito_sergi_kataloğu
- https://douaparale.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/contemporary-angst/
- http://hifructose.com/2014/01/13/elif-varol-ergens-morbid-reflections-of-motherhood/
- http://beautifuldecay.com/2011/10/19/elif-varol-ergen/
- http://www.emptykingdom.com/featured/elif-varol-ergen/
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
- 2020 “Lilith and the Serpent” Sarkuteri Gallery, Kadikoy Istanbul.
- 2012 ‘Incognito’, Zilberman Gallery, Mısır Apt, Beyoglu Istanbul.
- 2010 ‘Solo Show’ Design Days Exhibition, Cer Modern Art Museum, Ankara
SELECTED MIXED EXHIBITIONS
- 2025 A Collector’s Story: “Mustafa Taviloğlu” Exhibition, Art İstanbul Feshane and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Istanbul.
- 2024 Dragon Garage, Illustration Exhibition, Northern Contemporary Gallery, Toronto.
- 2022 Now in Digital Art: Alternate Realities + NFT Akbank Art Beyoglu, Istanbul.
- 2019 “PAPER” A Selection of Turkish Contemporary Art, Pilevneli Gallery, Istanbul.
- 2019 Feminist Nerd Resistance Exhibition, Titmouse Animation Studios, Los Angeles.
- 2018 “Don’t Wak Daddy”, Fein Kunst Krueger Gallery, Hamburg.
- 2018 “Chimera” Exhibition by Kimera Art Collective, Art X-Ist Gallery, Istanbul.
- 2018 Silkscreen art from Berlin & Istanbul, Curator: Anelor Robin, Poşe Gallery, Istanbul.
- 2017 Luciano Benetton Foundation, “Imago Mundi” exhibition Palermo.
- 2016 The House of Silence, Curated by Ray Caesar, Gallery House, Toronto.
- 2014 Contra Art Fair, Old Truman Brewery, London.
- 2013 Contemporary İstanbul 8, with Zilberman Gallery, Lutfi Kirdar, Istanbul.
- 2013 Art13 London, Zilberman Gallery, London.
- 2012 We’ve Got Issues, Exhibition, WWA Gallery, Culver City, California.
- 2012 Artsawa, Turkish Contemporary Art, Dubai International Financial Center, Dubai.
- 2011 Contemporary İstanbul 7, Lutfi Kirdar, Istanbul.
- 2011 World Children Rights Illustration Exhibition, İstanbul.
- 2011 Berliner Liste Art Fair, Berlin.
- 2011 Art Bosphorus Contemporary Art Fair, İstanbul.
- 2008 60th Frankfurt Book Fair at the invitation of the Goethe Institute, Art Exhibition at 60th Frankfurt Book Fair, Frankfurt.
- 2008 Fumihiko Enokido Fusion Art Institute 6th Calendar Exhibition, Shizuoka, Japan.
- 2007 The Royal Academy of Fine Arts Hogeschool Gent Graduation Exhibition, Gent.
- 2003 Het Geritsel Van De Bosporus Art Exhibition, Herk De Stadt Cultur Centre, Limburg.