Toygun Özdemir's Etchings
''The print studio is at times a kitchen, at times a laboratory. But above all, it’s a space of encounter — with paper, metal plates, chemicals, and another mind. This time, we set aside canvas and paint, and turned to a language spoken between copper and acid. Over the course of a month at Derin Print Shop, we worked patiently against the resistance of metal; we revisited an old image and encountered our own face once again. The production process was transformative — not only technically, but also on a personal level.
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During this time, we produced two main works — both evolved into unexpected directions in their own way.
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The first piece, GeçiÅŸ Dönemi (Transitional Phase), began as an experiment. Referencing a painting I did in 2016, this plate gradually became one of our main works. Its transformation was shaped both by the traces of memory and the distinct language of etching. What started as an experiment evolved into a piece that tells the story of transition itself.
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For the second work, Otoportre (Self-Portrait), we took a more experimental approach. We searched for a visual language that could merge different techniques onto a single plate. Working on a layered, multifaceted surface meant both looking inward and pushing the material limits of etching. This plate reads less like a traditional self-portrait and more like a map of a state of mind.
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Looking back on these two works, my relationship with etching deepened — both physically and conceptually. The process at Derin Print Shop reminded me of the value of slowness, patience, and excavation — in both the literal and metaphorical sense.
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At the heart of it all was Derin. She is not only the founder of the studio, but also a generous host, an open mind, and a true master of her craft. As someone long used to working alone, the experience of sharing both artistic and technical responsibility was indescribably enriching. Working with Derin drew me out of the quiet safety of solitary creation and into the polyphonic space that emerges through collaboration.''
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With love,
Toygun