Esra Kizir Gokcen Sail to Hope 26 February - 9 March 2025

 

Esra Kizir Gokcen Sail to Hope 26 February - 9 March 2025 Private View: Tuesday 25 February, 6 - 8pm 54 The Gallery, Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London W1J 7QX   RSVP With Sail to Hope Esra Kizir Gokcen presents her response to the far-reaching effects of globalisation. Born from human empathy rather than politically driven, her work questions the hierarchies that place humans above other life forms. In paintings inspired by Eastern miniature art, natural forces intermingle with crowds of abstracted shapes and figures to represent movements of people and cultures, between past and present. Collaged paper boats folded from world maps symbolise the shared humanity of precarious passages too often reduced to numbers in news headlines.  The ubiquitous origami vessels also feature in a largescale multi-media installation at the heart of the exhibition. These were co-created in workshops with diverse community groups. Participants christened each boat with a personal message of hope - inspiring the exhibition title. A soundscape by Grammy winning jazz saxophonist Tim Garland complements this collaborative work.   The artists have been working together since 2023, when Garland commissioned Gokcen to create paintings for his orchestral work. Visuals for the current Moment of Departure tour constitute part of this exhibition, and Tim Garland will play a selection from his current CD in a couple of intimate concerts on both Saturdays.   The afternoon performances will be followed by a Q&A with both artists who share the belief that art can communicate positive messages and elevate the resilience of the human spirit. A selection of prints and posters are available in support of War Child. War Child is the only specialist charity for children affected by conflict. For more than two decades, the organisation has been driven by a single goal – ensuring a safe future for every child living through war.War Child delivers life-changing services and support in communities affected by conflicts to keep children safe and help them to heal and learn for the chance of a better future.

Esra Kizir Gokcen was born and studied art in Istanbul where she focused on print making and exhibited internationally. Now London based, she is increasingly inspired by Spiritual self-inquiry and its relationship with nature. In 2021 her book of 365 Daily Drawings - Art From Within was completed and released alongside a solo exhibition at Charing Cross Library. Previous solo shows include Istanbul, Ankara and Amsterdam. “I have striven over the years to address our dislocation from Nature, our spiritual longing and our adventurous and evolving souls.” Tim Garland is a British saxophonist and composer. His seventeen year association with Chick Corea helped forge an international reputation, as well as his Lighthouse Trio and work with Bill Bruford. Among his many awards are CD of the Year in 2016 from Jazzwise for the album ONE, and a Grammy for orchestrating Chick Corea’s album The New Crystal Silence. He is best known for his eclectic contemporary jazz which often fuses orchestral writing with improvisation, and modal / rhythmic influences from Turkey and the Middle East. Music & Art Afternoon - 1 March Music & Art Afternoon - 8 March