Donne Gallery is pleased to present THE ONE, the first UK solo exhibition of Asli Ozok.
Transformation and adaptation are reactions survival. Ozok's Metamorphosis series originated during a moment in history when humanity on a whole was dramatically challenged. In addition to existing issues like ecological degradation and systemic injustice, the pandemic brought about unprecedented disruptions. As the walls of confinement both separated and united us, questions arose about the nature of our divisions and the shared human experience that transcended barriers of race, gender, wealth, and influence.
Human body parts merge to create hybrid beings. These idols embody human sensitivity into exaggerated extremities, multiple limbs, breasts, and eyes, amplifying our physical interdependence. They transform the body from a solitary vessel into a collective one.
THE ONE shows the development of these beings, from the drawings where they were first imagined to the sculptures they were forged into and finally the paintings.
Metamorphosis illustrates the deep connection between our physical, mental, and spiritual states; suggesting that we shape shift in response to changes in our mind and spirit. These forms, both ancient and otherworldly, express a primal vitality, recalling sculptural deities. In these charged images, we encounter shared human qualities that connect us. The surrealism depicted by these figures is not so much an exploration of the individual subconscious but rather a contemplation of the collective consciousness, emphasizing the unity of introspection.
Asli Ozok, a Turkish-born, London-based artist, explores the intricacies of the modern world by blending art history with societal themes such as war, consumerism, and gender perceptions. Her work delves into the complexities of our shared human experience. Özok's pieces can be found in the National Maritime Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich in London, UK, The Morera & Vallejo Foundation in Seville, Spain along with many other museums, institutions, and private collections and foundations worldwide. Throughout her career, Özok has held solo exhibitions in renowned galleries across the globe, including, Germany, Spain, South Korea, Portugal, Japan, the UK and the US among others.