Derya Akay

Derya Akay
Born1988 (age 35–36)
Istanbul, Turkey
EducationEmily Carr University of Art and Design (BFA)
OccupationVisual artist
Known forInstallation art, performance art
Websitederyaakay.com

Derya Akay (born 1988) is a Turkish artist based in Vancouver, Canada. Akay has held numerous solo and group exhibitions in Canada, Japan, Mexico, U.S., and Turkey.[1][2] In 2010, Akay graduated from Emily Carr University of Art and Design and completed a residency at the Banff Centre.[3]

Work

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Akay's artistic practice involves community organizing, gathering, cooking, food and knowledge sharing, gardening, performance, and installation.[4][5] Akay often uses tableware, textiles, food, and organic material in installations and performances with a focus on feminized and collective labour, while using intimate and domestic spaces such as kitchens, gardens, and bedrooms to showcase his work.[6][7][8]

Akay's mother, Dilara Akay, is an activist and artist. They collaborated on Ghost Spring (2018), a work about the political upheavals in Turkey and the loss of loved ones, installed and performed at Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver, Canada, in association with Grunt gallery.[9]

Exhibitions and projects

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Akay has collaborated with artists such as Haruko Okano, T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss, Julia Feyrer, and Anne Low.[10]

  • Queer Dowry (2022), What Water Knows, The Land Remembers, Toronto Biennial of Art[11][12]
  • Looking at the Garden Fence (2021), with Vivienne Bessette and Garden Don't Care artist collective at Sahalli Park Community Garden, Elisabeth Rogers Community Garden, Harmony Garden X̱wemelch’stn pen̓em̓áy[13]
  • Meydan (2021), Polygon Gallery[14]
  • The Neighbours Plate (2020), with Dana Qaddah and Amna Elnour, Unit 17[15]
  • Green Grocer (2018), Unit 17[16]
  • with bread (2017), Campbell River Art Gallery[17]
  • Punice (2017), Del Vaz Projects[18]
  • Vancouver Special: Ambivalent Pleasures (2016), Vancouver Art Gallery[19][20]

References

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  1. ^ "Derya Akay, on Process, Labour and Time". C Magazine Issue 137 Page 32. 2018-03-05. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  2. ^ "Unit 17 | Gallery Artist | Derya Akay". unit-17. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  3. ^ "Derya Akay: Material Hangings, Hangouts". Espace art actuel. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  4. ^ "Derya Akay, on Process, Labour and Time". C Magazine Issue 137 Page 32. 2018-03-05. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  5. ^ "CRITIC'S PICKS: Steffanie Ling". Akimbo. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  6. ^ "Derya Akay, on Process, Labour and Time". C Magazine Issue 137 Page 32. 2018-03-05. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  7. ^ Berardini, Andrew (March 16, 2022). "Derya Akay: Pumice". ArtReview.
  8. ^ Piejko, Jennifer (2017-03-22). "Derya Akay". Frieze. No. 186. ISSN 0962-0672. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  9. ^ Hennig, Clare (March 16, 2022). "Turkish mother and son explore politics, death and grief in new Vancouver art show". CBC News.
  10. ^ "Looking at the Garden Fence". Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  11. ^ "Derya Akay Artist Bio". Toronto Biennial of Art. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  12. ^ "Derya Akay at Small Arms Inspection Building". Toronto Biennial of Art. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  13. ^ "Looking at the Garden Fence". Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  14. ^ "Derya Akay: Meydan". The Polygon. 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  15. ^ "Derya Akay, Amna Elnour and Dana Qaddah: The Neighbour's Plate". Galleries West. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  16. ^ "CRITIC'S PICKS: Steffanie Ling". Akimbo. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  17. ^ "Derya Akay: with bread". Galleries West. 2017-04-15. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  18. ^ "Derya Akay - Pumice". Del Vaz Projects. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  19. ^ McKee, Jesse (2016). "PRIVATE AND SOCIAL, DOMESTIC AND PROFESSIONAL INTERSECT IN AN ENERGETIC SPIRIT OF COEXISTENCE". Kaleidoscope Magazine.
  20. ^ "Getting contemporary: Vancouver Special reflects state of the art in Terminal City". vancouversun. Retrieved 2022-03-16.