Yasam Sasmazer (Turkish, b. 1980)

Working in solid wood and painted bronze, Yasam Sasmazer creates life-sized and miniature figures of children that explore issues and concepts such as the morality of good and bad and childhood as opposed to adulthood and authority. The artist first creates maquettes in clay which are then cast in bronze and colour-patinated. Yasam Sasmazer masters the quick transition between the obvious, the hidden and the most frightening parts in one's personality. She questions the social stereotypical attributes given to children such as naivety and innocence when there is a great deal of cruelty and aggression existing in each and every person.