Artist Gülşah Ayla Bayrak is completing the installation of her work ‘Birds of Exile’, which she prepared within the scope of the 3rd International Yeditepe Biennial, at Yedikule Fortress. Combining traditional motifs with a modern approach, the work interprets the concepts of migration and belonging from an artistic perspective.

The 3rd International Yeditepe Biennial is just around the corner and preparations are in full swing. Yedikule Fortress, one of the venues embodying historical and cultural heritage of Türkiye, is set to host important works of art this year. Gülşah Ayla Bayrak, one of the remarkable artists of the Biennial, is finalising the installation process of her work ‘Birds of Exile’.

Ms. Bayrak, Belgian-born Turkish artist, combines the rich world of symbols of traditional Turkish arts with stylised dome and minaret forms. Thanks to this work, the artist refers to the phenomenon of migration and the sense of belonging, interpreting the search for identity of individuals raised in different cultures in an artistic language.

Integrating with the historical texture of Yedikule Fortress, ‘Birds of Exile’ builds a bridge between the past and the present and takes the audience on a cultural journey. The work, which will be open to art lovers during the Biennial, not only offers an aesthetic experience but also invites the viewer to reflect on belonging and identity.

Yeditepe Biennial draws attention as a significant event that emphasises the cultural diversity of Istanbul and the transformative power of art by bringing together many national and international artists. The work by Ms. Bayrak stands out as one of the prominent works reflecting the meeting of cultural heritage with contemporary art, one of the main themes of the biennial.

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