Secil Erel

I am a London-based Turkish-British artist with studios in London and Istanbul. My practice explores the relationship between reality and beyond reality, inviting audiences to dream, feel and think, while activating their own inner creativity.

My works attempt to harmoniously blend Eastern and Western, ancient and modern elements in my visual language. Cultural influences, the beauty of diverse places, time, and the joy found in meeting new people have always inspired me, adding vibrancy and richness to my art.

My practice is rooted in Istanbul, where I come from, and shaped by my life and work in London, where I am now based. I am interested in bringing the past and future into conversation through the experience of the here and now.

I discovered my creativity when I was around nine years old, while I was getting bored during a long summer holiday. My main epiphany came at the age of sixteen, marking the beginning of my artistic journey.

I graduated from the Painting Department at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University with an undergraduate degree and a Master’s degree. I am currently pursuing my second Master’s degree in Painting at the Royal College of Art (RCA), London, for the 2026–2027 academic year, based at the RCA’s Batterse...

EDUCATION
2027-2026 Royal College of Arts, MA, Painting, London
2019 London Creative Network, Artist Business Development, London
2004-2007 MFA Institute of Social Science Painting, Istanbul Mimar Sinan Fine Art University, Turkey 1999-2003 BFA Painting,
Istanbul Mimar Sinan Fine Art University, Turkey
AWARDS &SCHOLARSHIP
2021 Royal Academy of Arts, Summer Exhibition
2019 LCN, EU Artist Business Development, Scholarship 2016 Artist Of The Year Award by Farplas
2009 RH + Young Artist /2008, Private Award
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
2016 La Maison de Barbara, Ayvalık, Turkey 2015 Trelex Residency, Geneva, Switzerland

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2026 "Emotional Landscapes", Ziraat Bankası Kuğulu Art Gallery, Ankara
2025 "Being At Home", D Contemporary Gallery, London
2025 "Alliance", D Contemporary Gallery, London
2023 Being: Limitless Limited, Kunst Matrix Galeri&Showroom, London
2019 A Separate Reality, Gallery Milli Reasurans, Istanbul
2017 Possibilities, Work at the Yard, New York
2016 Bird’s Eye View, Siyah Beyaz Gallery, Ankara
2016 As Is, Gallery Merkur, Istanbul
2014 Territory, Gallery Zilberman, İstanbul
2012 The Initial Home - Leia, AlanIstanbul , Istanbul
2011 Simple Present Tense, CDA Projects, Istanbul
2009 Lonely Moment, Mithatpaşa Art Gallery, Ziraat Bank, Ankara 2001 The End , Personal Studio Space, İstanbul
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022 Reduction to Satire, NADA Curated by Fatos Ustek, NewYork 2022 Work On Papaer4, Blue shop Cottege, London
2022 Habitat, Contemporary Six, Manchester
2021 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London
2021 Satellites, Rise Art, London
2021 Non Prescription II, Ekav Art gallery, Istanbul
2020 Idle Thoughts, Gallery Soho Revue, London
2020 Abstract Art, Rise Art, Venue, London
2018 99 Square, Gallery Arton, Istanbul
2018 Collection, Arab British Chamber of Commerce, London
2018 FICF, Germany & Netherland...