In April 2026 I spent 10 days in Çanakkale, Turkey researching my commission for Çanakkale Biennial. It was a very positive experience. My hosts, Deniz Erban and Seyhan Boztepe, invited me after visiting my studio in Brighton in 2025 to create a new public art commission for the city of Çanakkale which will be unveiled at the opening of the 10th International Çanakkale Biennial Biennial in October. Çanakkale is famous for ceramics, and this will be the first time there will be a ceramic focus in the biennial.
The residency space is in the beautiful listed building of Mahal Sanat, an old shipping goods warehouse overlooking the river in the heart of the city. Highlights included a guided visit to Troy Museum, and an introduction to the archaeological excavations in Troy by one of the head archaeologists working on the ongoing project. They have uncovered 9 distinct civilisations dating back 5000 years, rich and fascinating. Another highlight was visiting Kale factory, one of the largest ceramic factories in the world, who have an ideas lab where they test out small projects for architects and artists. I am hoping to collaborate with them on the project. We also visited the Çanakkale University Ceramic Research Centre. I also gave a presentation of my work at Mahal which was very well received. On my last day I took a ferry across the Dardanelles to the Gallipoli peninsula to a tiny village called Kilitbahir with the most inspiring castle in the shape of a clover. And it was gorgeous to swim in the Dardanelles!
I will design a sculpture referring to the inspiration I found whilst there and return in August to plan the fabrication of the work, when I will also participate in the first international ceramic symposium organised by Çanakkale University Ceramic Research Centre.
The final trip will be in the autumn. The public opening and display of the work at the opening of the 10th Çanakkale Biennial will take place in October 2026. Specific details to follow.
Thank you so much to my most generous hosts for looking after me so well. The project has been funded by Connections Through Culture, British Council.
