Protective Hands

Seda Gazioğlu

Born in 1991 in Istanbul, Seda Gazioğlu is an artist who seamlessly intertwinestradition and contemporary practice. She began her education at ParsonsSchool of Design in New York, later continuing at Central Saint Martins inEngland. Since 2014, Gazioğlu has actively contributed to the art scenethrough a diverse range of mediums, including oil painting, metal sculpture,video, and digital art, often utilizing found and antique objects, notably vintageTurkish carpets. Her artistic approach is shaped by her experience with a learning difference,leading her to create a unique mapping method that simplifies complex subjectsinto accessible visuals. This minimalist, subject-driven aesthetic emphasizesthe essence of each piece, presenting her work in an “audition tape” format that invites viewers to engage deeply with the subject matter. Gazioğlu's exploration of human cognition, particularly its interpretation ofrituals and superstitions, reveals the intricate relationship between thesupernatural and the everyday. Growing up in Turkey, she examines thepervasive magic within her culture, often masked as superstition. Through herwork, Gazioğlu uncovers the hidden magic of daily life, mapping theseelements to ordinary forms and encouraging a re-examination of the familiar as a landscape rich with mystical dimensions.