Güçlü Öztekin

Güçlü Öztekin is known for his large-scale works created with materials, such as Styrofoam and kraft paper. He uses materials that are within his reach as an act of recycling. According to Öztekin, an artwork is in its most crude form until it is exhibited; therefore, in order for the artwork to acquire its full effect during an exhibition, it must be reprocessed. Öztekin is a member of HA ZA VU ZU, an artist collective founded in 2005. Güçlü Öztekin (b. 1978, Eskişehir). He graduated from the Department of Painting, Mimar Sinan University in 2003. His most recent solo exhibitions are Tupsy Turvy! Selpakla Gorili Bitirdim!, Dirimart, Istanbul (2017); Everything’s Tickling Each Other, Krinzinger Projekte, Vienna (2012) and kAPLANKADİLAk–He Was a Nasty Man But He Washed His Hands Obsessively, Rampa, Istanbul (2010). Together with HA ZA VU ZU, he took part in various group exhibitions, during which he enacted performances and showed his works in the 10th Istanbul Biennial (2007); Lokaal01, Anvers (2008); the Bovisa Triennial, Milan (2008); Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam (2008); Mercy, Liverpool (2008); Kaserne, Basel (2008); 10th Lyon Biennial (2009); the 10th International Baltic Art Triennial, Vilnius (2009); and For Whom Is It Too Late Today? – Between Stamp and Mars, Frac des Pays de la Loire, Carquefou (2009). Güçlü Öztekin designed an installation titled WORLBMON together with Güneş Terkol for the 16th edition of Istanbul Biennial in 2019. He lives and works in Istanbul.