Can Göknil's new book is out

The images of Can Göknil’s personal exhibitions in recent years weave around mythological subjects. This extensive research about Turkik and Anatolian myths also resulted in this book which candidly explains the evolution of an artist.

For her mythology is the richest and most universal of sources an artist can reach out to. When asked about her subject matter, the artist replies,

“I find my subject matter within the beliefs and traditions of our cultural heritage, explore each phase in depth, and then set out to create my own interpretation applying different techniques of artistry most befitting to the theme at hand.”

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Musical Pages

These acrylics on canvases are joyful encounters with mythical creatures that have greatly inspired the artist in the last decade.

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Cover designs for classical Anatolian love stories

“I discovered the first illustrated folk stories of XIXth century Istanbul which were about the grieving Romeos and Juliets of the East. Their illustrations, although very crudely executed, carry a certain charm that complement the sensuality of the storytelling. These despairing lovers have now found their way into my book works, carrying traces of primitive expression in parallel with their original lithographs. It was in 1831 when the first litho press was founded in Istanbul by Henry Cayol. In 1869 Antoine Zellich joined his efforts, also printing illustrated folk stories,” says Göknil.

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About the 10. International Istanbul Biennial

Several leading contemporary art galleries of Istanbul are staging parallel exhibits with the Xth International Istanbul Biennial. Gallery Apel, in the historic district of Galatasaray, is launching “pages”, with ten leading Turkish artists. Can Göknil’s participation reflects on the codices of the East & the West.

(Sept.6-Oct.20, 2007)

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Book Art

A good part of the artist’s studio hours are dedicated to crafting books as art objects as she strives to create new forms and media to express herself. Urgent dialogues with the viewers appear in the form of boxed codices with expiration dates.

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Artist’s Books Collections at The National Art Library of Victoria & Albert Museum

After examining her recent exhibition catalogue, Andrew Russell, curator, National Art Library of Victoria & Albert Museum in London wrote to Can on June 23, 2005: “I am very interested in your work and found looking through the exhibition catalogue for your recent handmade book display very inspiring. The National Art Library has a collection of Islamic manuscripts and bindings and to have some contemporary work which alludes to this area would, I personally think, really add to our book art collections.” Needless to say the artist was delighted. With her art work, she travelled to London to meet the selection committee of the National Art Library.

The Artist commented: “I see books as works of art born through the union of texture and color, where letters, numbers, markings contribute to the final form. I often use pictures to draw the viewer closer to the text and help them reach different mental perspectives. At other times words enhance my drawings as they collaborate with inks, paper,and other matterials resulting in unique book works.”

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At The National Art Library of Victoria & Albert Museum

On November 10, 2005, Can showed her artist’s books to John Morton (acting acquisitions manager) and Jennie Farmer (asistant librarian) at the National Art Library of V&A. After careful consideration the choices were: Yıldızname,I & II (Zodiac, book 1&2) Davetname (Book of summoning).

On November 11, 2005 in their acceptance letter, the library officials wrote: “These books together with the exhibition catalogue...and other explanatory material will be added to the National Art Library’s collections. In due course these items will be catalogued and records will be available through ...(the)... online catalogue...”

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Artist wins Grand Prix at the 14th International Gabrovo Biennial

The Golden Aesop is the first prize which entitles Göknil to a solo exhibition during the fifteenth International Biennial of Humour and Satire in the Arts, Gabrovo, 2001.