In her works, Başak Bugay explores ways to represent the relationship between the psychic constructions of the subject and the collective unconscious. Using a wide range of material and an ironic discourse, she puts forth themes like childhood traumas, denial and defense mechanisms, and sleep/death. Taking her relationship with material and process as organic, Bugay’s production process is shaped through the use of materials of fabric, fiber, plaster, and terracotta. Cut off from the outside world, isolated, confined to their own space the figures in their privacy do not directly interact with the audience. These figures are tough and distant and at once peaceful and familiar. Bugay lets the audience to figure out the hidden elements trapped in these spaces of privacy, breach into their secrecy and complete their uncanny and hidden stories. Although seeming safe and warm, in the environments and figures in her works is contained the possibility of an attack.

Başak Bugay (1979, Istanbul, Turkey) lives and works in Istanbul. She graduated from the Painting Department of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in 2002. She also completed her masters degree in 2006 and Ph.D. in 2019 at the same university. Her recent solo exhibitions include: Fugue (Zilberman Istanbul, 2021) and It’s a Joy to be Hidden (Milli Reasürans Art Gallery, Istanbul, 2018). The group exhibitions she participated in include: Rounded by Sleep (Arter, Istanbul, 2022), Facing Windows (KOLI Art Space, Istanbul, 2021), Dancing Into One, (Yuvakimyon Greek High School, Istanbul, 2019), The Big Picture (DEPO, Istanbul, 2018), A Day at Hotel (Zilberman Gallery, Istanbul, 2018), Animal (Tophane-i Amire Culture and Art Center, Istanbul, 2012), Figurative (Alan Istanbul, Istanbul, 2010) and Where is Diyarbakır Prison (Karşı Sanat, Istanbul, 2011).