Neslihan Başer (Turkish, b. 1984)

'The act of sewing goes back thousands of years, connecting past with present. It is an organic and traditional form of expression which metaphorically relates to the existential issues of the female figure. I grew up seeing my grandmother making embroidery, which I now realise was not only a way of conveying her story but also spiritually repairing herself.
I studied fashion design and styling, such education enabled me to have a deep understanding of thread, embroidery, fabric and introduced me to various mediums such as photography. In my practice I combine authentically made embroidery with photographs and by combining them I create multi-layered texture which symbolises the continuity of life. Although embroidery is a traditional medium, the use of technology during my creative process changes this feeling into an interesting controversy that connects the past and the future.
Hidden Heart is a dialogue with nature, through this emotional interaction one can explore internally hidden feelings whilst embracing a romantic approach questions the impact of nature on her existence'.
(The artist quoted in 2017).