Eser Epözdemir is an artist, art & culture accessibility consultant, and cultural producer based in Istanbul. She is interested in interconnectedness—the way “things” relate to one another. Her practice focuses on those invisible threads that tie us to our environments and vice-versa. Whether inspired by the solid weight of architecture or materials from the shifting landscapes of cultural memory, she is drawn to understanding the texture of relationships and the layers that elude the first glance.
For her, art has become a tool for ‘translation.’ She works across site-specific installations and lens-based media to peel back the layers of the systems we live in—exploring the strange tension between empathy and apathy, or void and fullness. By challenging traditional modes of perception, she examines new possibilities of how we ‘see’ what is around us.
As a synthesis of her artistic background, research interests, and the projects she has realized, she has undertaken the role of Türkiye’s first arts and culture accessibility consultant. She does not see audio description as a technical chore; she views it as a raw, creative potential for ‘visual translation’.
Her practice and research have been supported by and exhibited on various international platforms, such as the Arter Research Programme (AAP) (2019-2020), SAHA Studio (2021-2022), The Octopus Programme (2021-2022), the British Council Creative Producers (2023), and Horizon 2020, Spain (2018). Her works have been presented in Türkiye, as well as in Singapore (2025), the United States (2025), Switzerland (2024), the United Kingdom (2015, 2024), Austria (2022), Tunisia (2022), France (2021), and Italy (2018).
Research Focus Stratigraphy | Cultural Memory | Environmental Rights | Ethics
Artistic Method Interconnectedness | Visual Translation | Accessibility | Emptiness-Fullness
Thematic Core Water | Temporal Layers | Empathy-Apathy | Mechanisms of Functioning
Photo Credit: Michelle Dolgorukova, 2023
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
* Upcoming: Childrens’ Literature Festival, Museo Tornielli, Ameno, IT, 2026
* Ecological Artis in Residence Exhibition, curated by Melike Bayık, The Green House Geyik Bayırı Antalya, TR, 2026
* Singapore Art Book Fair, New Art Museum, SG, 2025
* Gümüşlük Academy, Bodrum Book Fair, TR, 2025
* Tryst Alternative Art Fair 2025, Los Angeles, USA,
* Borderless ArtBook Days, Yapı Kredi, Istanbul TR, 2025
* Small Pains Great Songs, Barın Han, Istanbul TR, 2024
* I Have Never Read, Art Book Fair Basel, CH, 2024
* 41.2607° N, 28.7424° E, curated by Ayça Okay, Istanbul Airport, International Flights, Gate 5, 2024
* Aesthetica Art Prize 2024, York Art Gallery, York, United Kingdom, 2024
* All water falls into language, curated by Naz Kocadere, supported by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Istanbul, KIRAATHANE Istanbul Literature House, 2022
* The Octopus, curated by Başak Şenova, Angewandte Interdisciplinary Lab., Vienna AU 2022
* SAHA Studio OPEN, SAHA Studio, 2022
* Duologue, B7L9 Art Station, Kamel Lazaar Foundation, Tunis TN, 2022
* Europa Enterprise, Cité Des Art, Paris FR, 2021
* Past, Present, Istanbul, Sabancı Museum, Istanbul TR, 2021
* Photography in Days of Pandemic, Istanbul Modern, 2020
* A visual-verbal attempt, Solo Exhibition, river-run, Istanbul TR, 2018
* Imago Mundi, premiered at Trieste IT, exhibited in multiple cities, since 2018
* Artrooms London 2015, Meliá White House, London UK, 2015
* Co-action Device, with İnci Eviner, 13th Istanbul Biennial, Mom, Am I Barbarian? Galata Greek School, Istanbul TR, 2013
* Lives and works in Istanbul, Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture, Europe Projects, at Sanat Limanı, Antrepo, Istanbul TR, 2010
RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
* Trans-making Project, Artistic Research, United Kingdom, sponsored by European Union, Horizon 2020 Projects, 2022
(A solo artistic research project during the summer of 2022 on the accessibility of museums and galleries in the UK.)
* Trans-making Project, Artistic Research, Valencia ES, 2018
* The Octopus Project, 2021-2022
https://theoctopusprogramme.uni-ak.ac.at/
* Arter Research Programme AAP, Istanbul, 2019-2020
https://www.arter.org.tr/en/arter-research-program?tag=34
* Articulating Research Project, inspired by “My Life as a Work of Art: The Art World from Start to Finish” with Ben Eastham, by Merve Ünsal, SALT Istanbul, 2018
SELECTED ARTIST TALK, CONFERENCE, PRESENTATION, LECTURE PERFORMANCE, WORKSHOP, LAB. AND PROGRAMMES
Artist Talks
+ Disability and Art Talks: Transformative Power of Art, Istanbul University, ENUYGAR, December 2025
+ Serhan Ada in conversation with Eser Epözdemir on her works: “A place; water with time”, May 2022
+ On Past, Present, Istanbul Exhibition, November 2021, at Sabancı Museum, in collaboration with Istanbul Policy Center (IPM), with Dr. Fuat Keyman, and Asuman Suner, 2021
+ On The Land of Darkness: urban and water rights: Akgün İlhan, Murat Germen and Eser Epözdemir, Studio-x, Istanbul TR, 2019
Exhibition Critique
+ On In the Realm of Three Inland Sea, Handan Börüteçene, by Eser Epözdemir, Salt Beyoğlu, 2023
Workshop
+ Citizen Sicence Workshop, by Melike Şahinol, Orient Intitute, Istanbul, March 2026
+ Right to the City and Well-Being Policies for Fairer Local Government, Center for Spatial Justice (MAD), 2023
+ What is this inclusivity?: Women of World Festivals, WOW Istanbul, in collaboration with the British Council: by Eser Epözdemir (Cultural Producer, Art Accessibility Consultant, and Artist), Su Başbuğu (Programme Manager and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Lead at British Council ), and Seben Ayşe Dayı (Educational Anthropologist, founder of EHŞ (Erişilebilir Her Şey: Accessible Everything), at Müze Gazhane, Istanbul, 2022
+ WOW Women of the World Festival Istanbul, Art and Accessibility, with Seben Ayşe Dayı, 2021
+ Children Make, in Young Voices Project by ÇOÇA and İskele 47, with the support of Consulate General of Sweden Istanbul, 2015
Talk
+ Accessibility on Art and Culture, in: Thread of Culture Project video series, by Istanbul Foundation For Culture And Arts IKSV, funded by UNESCO,2022,
+ All water falls into language Talks #3: Moderated by Naz Kocadere with Itamar Gov, Özgür Atlagan and Eser Epözdemir, November 2022
+ Can We Really Access lt? Bozcaada Jazz Festival, Keşif: an experience program, Çanakkale, Bozcaada, 2022,
Presentation
+ Disability And The Digital Conversations Across Sociology, Cultural Studies, and Disability Studies, moderated by Melike Şahinol, Robert Stock, supported by HafenCity Universität Hamburg (HCU), July 2022,
+ Interface Inagh Ireland, online art meetings/presentations in collaboration with Pasaj & Detroit Stockholm, supported by Arts Council Ireland, March- April 2021
Lecture Performance
+ On Gathered by Scattered, at Tonkino Saalbau, Vienna AU, 2022
Lab.
+ NIT Urban Heritage Lab: Water Heritage for Sustainable Cities, in collaboration with Middle East Technical University (METU), Radboud University, LDE, Center for Global Heritage and Development, and the Netherlands Consulate-General in Istanbul, 2022
Round Table Discussion
+ Hairy_less Masculinities, A Cartography, Iran at the Crossways/ Dialogues on a Changing Society, French Culture Institute Istanbul, 2022,
As Observer
+ Wohnungsfrage Academy, Haus der Kulturen Der Welt, Berlin DE, 2015
As Participant
* Creative Producers Programme 2023, in Western Balkans, by British Council Arts, & Curated Place UK, Belgrade, SRB, 2023
* The Turkish Scholarly Network for Science and Technology Studies, STS TÜRKİYE winter school, 2023
* Campus Istanbul Documentary Project, in collaboration with DOK.fest München, Istanbul, 2021- 2022
* Safeguarding Archaeological Assets of Turkey (SARAT) Course, by British Archeology Institute of Ankara, 2018
* 14th Istanbul Biennale, Salty Water, Emotional Thinking Programme, with Michael Rakowitz, Istanbul TR, 2015
* GRAFIST 15, with Patrick Thomas, MSGSU, Istanbul TR, 2011
* Lives and works in Istanbul, Istanbul 2010 Capital of Culture Projects, no1 with Remo Salvadori, Istanbul TR, 2008
*Sao Paolo Enviromental Cities Forum Global Cities, Local Spaces; Sao Paolo, International Art and Environment Conferences Valenscia, ES, 2009
* City and Art Project / Kent ve Sanat Projesi, MSGSU, Vienna Academy’s Group, Istanbul, TR 2009
RESIDENCY
* Ecological Artist in Residence: Greenhouse Art Days & Oksitosin, February-March, Antalya,TR, 2026
* SAHA Studio, Artist Residency, Istanbul TR, 2021-2022,
* AIR Bayrampaşa, by Pasaj, 2018
PUBLICATIONS CONTRIBUTED
* The Octopus, On Diversities, Art Production, Educational Models, and Curatorial Trajectories
by De Gruyter Academic Publishing, eBook Published: March 18, 2024 ISBN: 9783111365541, Paperback, Published: March 18, 2024
ISBN: 9783111365343
* The Octopus Booklets: Contributor Artist
* Article, Water Heritage for Sustainable Cities, Urban Heritage Lab Proposals for the Revalorization of the Valens Aqueduct in Istanbul, 2023, NIT
ISBN 13: 978-605-72590-2-8, To download as PDF:
https://www.nit-istanbul.org/publication/water-heritage-for-sustainable-cities
* Chronotop: An Evaluation with SAHA Studio’s Fourth Term Artists, online, 2022
* Article published in International Congress of Future Medical Pioneers “ICOFMEP 2021,
Eser Epözdemir (Cultural Producer & Artist), Assoc Prof. Dr. Elif Vatanoğlu-Lutz (Ethics & History of Medicine), Prof. Bahar Uslu MD PhD (Clinical & Developmental Senior Embryologist, Histologist): “On Tuhfet-ül Tıb to the Medicine of the Future” ICOFMEP Congress Proceedings Book 2021, ISBN: 978-3-659-83732-6
* Article published in the exhibition catalog Past, Present, Istanbul, 2021
* [RE: AAP_2019] at Arter Research Programme publication,10+2 by Eser Epözdemir, 2020
* A visual-verbal attempt, Master of Arts Thesis, Sabancı University, Visual Arts and Visual Communication Department, Thesis Supervisors:
Prof. Dr. Erdağ Aksel, Prof. Dr. Melih Görgün, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yasemin Nur
* CODEX Istanbul, Editorial coordination: Enrico Bossan, 2021, ISBN 9788899657024 8899657025
* Arredamento Magazine, January 2016, issue 297, interview with Sandi Hilal
* XXI Magazine, December 2015- January 2016, issue 145, article and interview with Nikolaus Hirsch on Wohnungsfrage
* Co-Action Device/ A Study, Editor: Elif Kamışlı, 2013, 9786055275129
GRANTS , SCHOLARSHIPS , AWARDS
Creative Producers Programme by British Council Arts, 2023,
19th Gusi Peace Award 2021 to Elif Vatanoğlu-Lutz on behalf of Oksitosin team,
Changemakers– Season 12, by Sabancı Foundation 2021 as Erişilebilir Her Şey team,
Trans-making (Horizon 2020) Grant, received twice in 2018 and 2022,
Sabancı University Outstanding Success Scholarship, 2016,
Erasmus Exchange Scholarship 2009
WORKS IN COLLECTION
Luciano Benetton Foundation, Istanbul 2010 Capital of Culture, Private Collections
BOOKS IN LIBRARY
Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris FR, Netherlands Institute Turkey, Istanbul TR
OTHER AFFILIATIONS
2026
Advisoryboard Member, ENGA, Enuygar, Istanbul University Disability Studies
2025
Designer of the new Afife Theatre Awards Award Statue, commissioned by Yapı Kredi,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP1s4_tgnZA
2023
Interpreter for Short-term Delegations of Organization for Security and Co-Organization in Europe (OSCE PA) for the Turkish Elections
Creative Artistic Content Producer, Arts For All, UNLIMITED Türkiye, in collaboration with British Council Turkey,
Unlimited Forum Belgesel – Documentary (AD):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v6KRaLzlNI
2022
British Council Turkey Delegation Committee Member, UNLIMITED Festival London, United Kingdom
Jury Member, Leuven disABILITY Film Festival, Short Film Competition, Belgium
2020
Co-editor/ broadcaster of Radio Commons podcast series: The first episode on: “Solidarity and censorship in art and culture/Türkiye” ,
2018- ongoing
Creative content contributor of Oksitosin: Nature, Science and Art Platform, in collab. with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elif Vatanoğlu-Lutz
2019- ongoing
Art & Culture Accessibility Consultant,
Freelance / in collaboration with Erişilebilir Her Şey ( Accessible Everything), a start-up company
focused on accessibility services ) providing art accessibility services: from conceptualization, production, and coordination to the
mediation of audio descriptions of art and cultural events for disabled people.
2016-18
Teaching Assistant, Sabancı University Visual Arts Department with Wieslaw Zaremba, Selim Birsel, and Erdağ Aksel, Istanbul TR,
2013-15
Managing Editor & Broadcaster& Producer, Açık Dergi, A(apa)çık Radyo 95.0, Istanbul TR,
2013- ongoing
Content producer, member, advisor amberPlatform, Body Process Arts, (BİS)
2013-
Interviews with Cultural Producers for various radio, magazine, and platforms; including Sandi Hilal, Nikolaus Hirsch, Jorge Otero Pailos, Gül Pulhan, Joni Steiner, İlkay Baliç, Işın Önol, Emre Zeytinoğlu, Uwe Brückner and many more.
2008-9
Editor Assistant, P+ Art, and Culture Magazine with Ahsen Erdoğan and Celal Üster, Istanbul TR. “P+” was an art and culture magazine, focusing on one specific theme in each issue. It used to be published in Turkish and in English. It used to be sold in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and The Louvre Museum, has been inactive since 2010.
Interests
Cultural Heritage | Urban Studies | Environmental Rights | Art Accessibility | Psychology
Constellation Facilitator, Reiki Usui Shiki Ryoho Master, RYT 200 Yoga Alliance Certified Practitioner,
Certificate of Competence for Operators of Pleasure Craft, (ICC), Amateur Seafarer Certificate(2010)
EDUCATION
2016– 2018 Sabancı University (SU), Visual Arts M.A. Outstanding Success Scholarship, Istanbul Türkiye
2006 – 2012 Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSU), Painting, B.A. Istanbul Türkiye
2009 – 2010 Valencia Polytechnic University (UPV), Fine Arts, EEP. Valencia Spain
2002 Beşiktaş Atatürk Anatolian High School
And
Speaks Turkish -Mother tongue, English -Advanced, Spanish -Intermediate, German & Turkish Sign Language-Beginner
Contact
via eserepozdemir@gmail.com