Şebnem Somel
I am an artist involved in ecological art practices trying to create art related solutions to social or environmental issues. Born in 1968 and living in Istanbul. I got my BFA and PhD degrees from Mimar Sinan University, Istanbul and MFA degree from Pratt Institute, New York.
My art is about trying to integrate the creation process of art into real life issues. I started off my art career using abstract expressionist terms in my paintings. Realizing that I care more for the process than the end result I tried new ways that could show or augment the importance of the creation process of art through out life. This journey led me to creative activist work that I find both essential and valid for one’s sincere and responsive existence in relation to today’s realities.
Art for animals' sake! - We will build a shelter for a small colony of cats together. Come and join me on this journey.
Why did I start Minikgüneşparçam Project?
With the beginning of 2023
the authorities will have legal rights to put the street cats in shelters.
I live in Istanbul, Turkey. There is not enough shelter for all the cats and the ones that exist lack very badly in their standards.
After years of feeding street animals and trying to take part in animal’s rights activist attempts, I chose to create a minor difference in their lives that can hopefully last long after my time on earth.
What is the goal of this project?
Minikgüneşparçam is not only an animal care program but also an art attempt. Creative activist and volunteer works are the new forms of art that can create art related solutions to social or environmental issues I want to put a small colony of cats in a safe home. I want to make sure that they live there all through their lifetime. For this reason I want to establish a foundation that creates and supports attempts, projects and documents that help to maintain the enhancement and sustainability of the bond between tamed/street animals and people.
As an artist I propose this foundation and the road that leads to this foundation as an artwork itself; art that deserves being created; art that creates a difference in life; art that possess the will to share and to live life to its fullest; literally.
Blog posts
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Abandoned cat trying to get in the building
Art for animals’ sake! – We will build a shelter for a small colony of cats together. Come and join me on this journey. GOAL: Let’s put a small colony of cats in a safe home. Let us make sure that they live there all through their lifetime. Read more
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Stray cats feeding time
Stray cats deserve to eat out of a plate too – Art for animals’ sake! Read more
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Slander-free life of an animal care-giver
Yesterday I post a video on youtube and someone leaves a comment under it: “you have no right to separate her from her mother; you are a bad person; you should stay away from animals..” It is not in the same words, I forgot the exact words, yet I remember the sound of it; and what it… Read more
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Yüksük
Yüksük diyesim geliyor ama demiycem sanırım; ü harfi şanssız bir ses çünkü. Yüksüğün Batı medeniyetinde tartışmasız Türklere ait olduğu kabul edilen tek icat olduğunu biliyor muydunuz? Ya da bir iki üründen biri. Batıda sokakta köpek yokmuş; pöh! Kendini doğadan üstün gören o Batı medeniyetinde yeterli barınak ve bakımevi var. Bizimse o kabul görmeyen medeniyetimizin bir… Read more
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Toma and the new kitten in Ponçikhane
I found this kitten on the street, under the cars. I’ve asked neighbors about her and waited for one and a half day for the mother to come. There was no mother. She was so small, tiny and she could not survive on her own. So I took her to the vet. She was examined,… Read more