Scattered – Hidden Narratives through Archives is an exhibition initiated by researcher and curator Nesli Gül that looks into the interactions of visual artists from Turkey who settled in the Netherlands with the Dutch art scene, a little-known and undocumented part of the contemporary art history of the Netherlands.
Scattered uncovers the lesser-known and unknown narratives of artistic expressions, the critical perspectives behind the artistic practices, and exhibitions outside of the Dutch mainstream art scene. It focuses on the participation and representation of artists, based on original materials from personal archives as well as institutional ones.
Scattered is part of the ongoing research project The Impact of Contemporary Artists, who moved from Turkey, on the Dutch Art Ecosystem initiated by Nesli Gül. Using archival material, the exhibition investigates the shifting perspectives of artists and their connections to their own cultural heritage, their representation in society with ever-changing policies, and the influence of the Turkish diaspora on their artistic discourse. The main challenge facing the ongoing research project – addressed in the exhibition – is mainly scattered, fragmented, and “hard to reach” raw information. Selected posters, catalogues, invitations, brochures, postcards, booklets, newspaper clippings, correspondences with institutions, and artist documentaries reveal discussions on hot topic issues such as migration and identity politics.
Scattered looks out for a possibility of a polyphonic narrative for the art history of underrepresented artists. This exhibition is a response to artistic representation in contemporary art history beyond local context and constraints and contributes to a better understanding of the legacy of diasporic artists from Turkey and their interactions with the Dutch art ecosystem.
Photo Credits: Installation photo from the exhibition Scattered curated by Nesli Gül at Framer Framed, Amsterdam 2023. © Eva Broekema / Framer Framed.
Curator, Researcher, and Initiator
Nesli Gül, of the project The Impact of Contemporary Artists, who moved from Turkey, on the Dutch Art Ecosystem
Participating Artists
Esma Yiğitoğlu, Servet Koçyiğit, Merve Kılıçer, Müge Yılmaz
Contributing Artists
Bülent Evren, Cihad Caner, Deniz Buga, Kubilay Mert Ural, Mustafa Şener, Nesrin During, Ulufer Çelik
Archives in the Exhibition
The Archive of Bülent Evren, Van Abbemuseum, The Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision – Beeld & Geluid, Stadsarchief Amsterdam
Collaborative Partner
The Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision – Beeld & Geluid
Special Thanks to
Bülent Evren and Cüneyt Durukan
