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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Kitten lost her voice calling her mother
She is safe now. I am trying to find a safe home for her. She is in Ponçikhane but there are other cats here that could harm her. She is so tiny. Please subscribe to help these cats survive. Thank you. We will build a shelter for a small colony of cats together. Come and… Read more
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New kitten on the block; shivering with fear.
She is alone. She is scared; look at her tail shivering with fear. I could not leave her there. There is no way she can survive all alone on this street. Read more
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Ponçikhane – Part 1
Şila, Toraman, Lilith Support them by subscribing to the Youtube channel – Thank you Read more
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Meet the colony – Part 4 – Art for animals’ sake! – Subscribe to help them survive.
We will build a shelter for a small colony of cats together. Come and join me on this journey. Art for animals’ sake! I am an artist engaged in ecological art practices for transformative, sustainable ways of being. Minikgüneşparçam was the name of a cute, shiny, sparkling kitty. Then it turned out to be the… Read more
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Meet the colony – Part 3
Art for animals’ sake! – Subscribe to help them survive. Read more
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Meet the Colony – Part 2
Pakize should be at least 8 or 9 years old. I am not sure because she lived up on the hill, near the first block of this street before. She gave birth to so many kittens, so many times. Finally people over there decided to put a stop into this; she was neutralized in Beşiktaş… Read more