Bio


 


PROFILE 

“My work so far has fallen into two strands of thematic investigation: “unbelonging” & “spaces that hold memories”. Starting on the inside and looking outwards, my work mediates between two spheres of my experience. I codify, analyse and give meaning to my lived, interior reality. After a time making meaning through visual image and movement, I am now moving into the aural – exploring the world through music & spoken language. Currently working on one woman show that combines poetry/singing/music/movement and visual projection. I make work as a means of externalising my lived, interior reality – projecting it into a space so that I am able to understand “the natural & social mechanism” which produced it.”  Ayse Balkose.

Now in third person:

Aysegul Balkose is a Turkish/British visual artist and performer dedicated to art that is not only a reflection of discovery but art that challenges social norms and embraces the spirit of “UnBelonging” and displacement experienced by individuals taking on new lives and celebrating new surroundings using the power of words, sound, movement and visual stimuli, Balkose is able to create new perceptions of the changing world.


Recent times have seen the artist’s painting and photography work featured at the Royal Arts Exhibition in London and “the Present Perfect Continuous” showcase at the Moscow Modern Art Gallery. Balkose’s 2019 independent film “Voice” was the official selection for Austin Doc After Dark festival and Oregon Cinema Arts Festival.


Raised in Turkey, the artist studied chemical engineering at Ankara university, later continuing with a masters degree in business administration at Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul. Securing a management position at Maddox textile in Istanbul, Balkose began some of her first experiments with colour, fabric and textile dyes which guided her into producing a fall tram endeavour before moving to Sheffield.


As and active participant in the Sheffield community, Balkose performed and engaged in design work for Dangerous Productions and also acted as a representative for the Arts on the Run charity supporting migrant artists in Sheffield.

Currently the artist is creating a one woman show which will involve all aspects of her artistic skills by manipulating poetry, art, movement and music in brand new production.  





EXPERIENCE


Cultural commentator: From Middle East & Africa 2020: Migrations Matter Festival&Koni Music 

Trelex Amazon Peru Artist Residency: 2018

Artist/Performer Freelance: 2015-2019

  • Design, develop, and deliver art pieces to clients according to specifications
  • Design, develop and deliver art workshops & courses
  • Blog content writer for a large UK band as promotional and archival material
  • Public Speaker: Sisterhood Social (An Anatomy of UnBelonging), Leicester University 
  • Create abstract paintings and photographs to be displayed in local establishments
  • Collaborate with local charities to develop and fit art installations
  • Collaborate with local artists/musicians on Sheffield Hallam University + Arts Council funded projects, develop and deliver the highest quality of work

Band Tour Manager 2017-2019

Performances at  Chatsworth House, York National Museum, Journey’s festival, Festival Of Mind-Good Will Dome, Platforma Arts, The Cast Theatre, Leicester Arts, Lust (a film by Joao Simoes), The Confluence Project, Arts On The Run AGMs, Platforma Arts AGM

Owner at Studio Balko: 2015-2019

  • Graphic design for band album covers and promotional material
  • Band and Wedding photography
  • Production, filming &editing live music videos for bands and weddings

Performer at Dangerous Production: 2008-2013


COMMISSIONS + GRANTS 


  • Journey of UnBelonging: ArtsReach commission: Stage show combining painting, movement, live music and live video projection
  • Voice: Arts On The Run Commission: Installation + film: Twin video projection on sculptures 
  • Art Books (In Progress): Arts Council grand to produce books of my paintings and photographs, deadline June 2022
  • Artist Development support: Esmee Foundation 


SHORT FILMS SCREENINGS+FESTIVALS

Voice: Short film: Soundscape, poetry/spoken words

  • Official selection at Oregon film Festival
  • Leeds Big Screen

Hena: Short Film Soundscape, poetry/spoken words:  Lift Off Sessions Film screening

Eflux: Short film: Soundscape , poetry/spoken words: 

  • Chapel Town Gallery
  • Watching Limbo; CarabooProjects

Journey: Short of Journey of Unbelonging: Bank Street Art: Art As A Political Expression


PAINTING/PHOTOGRAPHY/INSTALLATION EXHIBITIONS

Royal Arts Prize Gallery London: painting and photograph: 2019

Moscow Modern Art Gallery: painting: 2018

SOCIUS18: DOK Edinburg: painting: 2018

All of the World is A Stage: LeftBank Gallery Leeds: painting: 2018


Durham Art Fair: painting 2018

Solo Exhibitions at Local Venues in Sheffield 2012- 2013- 2018-2019

Voice, Migration Matters Sheffield, Wakefield Gallery: Installation: 2017

Splash: Layton Stone Gallery, London: Mix Media painting: 2012

Inclusion: Stone Space gallery, London: painting: 2012


PROJECTS

Spaces That Hold Memories : Soundscapes/Poetry/Visual created at Trelex Amazon Residency 

The Room: Painting with feet+Participatory live art performance, audience plays home made instruments, live painting with movement

A Journey Of UnBelonging: Painting with feet+Live art performance with Mina Salama, Plays the Oud and the Ney with live projection, painting and movement

Sense Of Space: Painting with feet+live art performance with Herve Perez, alto saxophone, live painting and movement at unconventional spaces

Butter Dark: Photography Project



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Spaces Once Hold Memories... Trelex Amazon Residency

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T relex Amazon Residency Reflections, I could write two posts to describe the amazing space that Trelex Amazon and Rainforest Expeditions provided for us, one for Refugio and one for TRC (Tambopata Research Centre.) The lodges are incredible. Being in a jungle and far away from the world is an exhilarating experience. Having a whole month in the rainforest and in this environment allowed me to relax and absorb the space, the people, the jungle and myself. The art of exploration could not get any more comfortable and luxurious.Was I spoiled? Yes, very much so and I love the memory that stays with me. I developed 2 major bodies of work during my residency in the Amazon at the Rainforest Expedition Lodges. One of them is a photography series and the other one is experimental electronic soundscapes. Experimental Soundscapes: Ayse Balko, Amazon, Come To Tower With Me                            ...
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