E. Banu Gürel

Learning, creativity, trying, being open to new experiences, exploring new things, viewing the world through multiple levels and questioning the obvious have been the values that shaped me. I see my ceramic works my means of bringing these values to life.

Since the moment I became aware of my existence, nature has been my natural environment where I can feel my roots, feel a sense of belonging and be with the flow. For many years, I have balanced the strains and burdens of living in a megacity like Istanbul with mountain hikes, natural farming practices, and gardening. Thanks to this time spent observing both nature and my inner self, organic forms have been my focus since the day I started making ceramics.

I use nature as a metaphor for bringing the difficulties of life to light. In my works I aim to create awareness by emphasizing the contrast between the loneliness of humans, alienation in relationships, forced immigration leading to disconnection from one's roots and culture, the harmony in fauna and flora despite the greed to dominate nature; oblivious to the fact that we humans, too, are a part of it.
 
The barnacles that multiply and conclude their lives on the rock where they originate; the rooting of dozens of lichens on trees and rocks, their symbiotic lives, textures and colors have become my inspiring playmates. Meanwhile, owls, symbols of wisdom, have guided me throughout my creative process.

Playing with various clays and textures, blending them to my enjoyment, mixing glazes, discovering balance and form in the void, with no expectation of the outcome, allows me to connect with my inner child..