Merih Bender

As an academic artist who has closely examined the universal history and philosophical processes of art, I can say that I am most influenced by existential philosophy and expressionism. In addition, I find it meaningful how the post-modern period includes the pluralism of life. I believe that diversifying the possibilities of expression with many different mediums is indispensable for an artist. For this reason, I do not adopt a conservative and didactic academic approach. I do not hesitate to try bold innovations in my work with an experimental and expressive attitude without compromising my style.
In my works, individual choices and freedoms are questioned through abstract layers and images of memories.
I think that I produce paintings that are a compressed human subconscious in which the promise of emancipation is forever defined by sacrifice, pain, transcendence, and deferred pleasure...

MERİH TEKİN BENDER
She graduated from Gazi University, Faculty of Art Education, Department of Fine Arts in Painting in 1993. She completed her Master’s degree in Art Department at Pamukkale University Social Sciences Institute, Denizli, Turkey in 1998. She completed her Ph.D. from the Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Education in the Fine Arts Department in 2006. She became an Associate Prof. Dr. in 2009. She was a visiting scholar at Ohio State University for the fall 2011 semester. She became a Prof. Dr. at Ege University in 2015.
She had 14 personal exhibitions and she joined more than 200 group exhibitions. There are many works of the artist in the National Museums, Official and Private Collections. She is the writer of the books “Duyguların İzinde Sanatsal Yaratma” and “Aşka İlham Verenler”.
Currently she has been working as a full time faculty member and a chair in the Fine Arts Education Department at Ege University Faculty of Education, Izmir, Turkey.

International Personal Exhibitions:
Aarhus/Denmark, VIA University Digital Exhibition and Workshop, 25-31 August 2008.
Sommelsdijk / Netherlands, Remonstrantse Kerk, Personal Exhibition, 2 February- 2 March 2010.
Columbus/ Ohio/ Amerika, Ohio State University the Department of Art Education, “The Art Project: The Empty Red Frame’’ Personal Acrylic Exhibition, November 21- December 16, 2011.
Hellevoetsluis / Netherlands / Kunstuitleen/ Personal Acrylic Exhibition, June 20 - July 20, 2015.
National Personal Exhibitions:
Tunceli, Art Gallery of City Library, 1. Personal Exhibition, June 1995.
İzmir, İletişim Art Gallery, Exhibition and Performance with the concept of “Turning Inside in 14 Days ”, 05-12 April 2004.
İzmir, State Painting and Sculpture Museum, Personal Exhibition, 04-16 June 2007.
Ankara, İlhan Art Gallery, Personal Exhibition, 08-29 February 2008.
İzmir, Personal Exhibition with the Concept of “Fishes deep in the minds” Turkish American Association, 20 April-10 May 2008
İstanbul, Personal Exhibition, Vakıfbank Headquarters Exhibition Hall, 16-28 April 2012.
İzmir, Personal Exhibition with the Concept of “Deep Metaphor, Atatürk Cultural Center, 28 May-23 June 2012.
Kuşadası, Aydın, Personal Exhibition wit...