Biber Bahçesi / Pepper Garden, 2022
Oya (needle lace) on string, dye. 40x40x20 inches (with plinth).

This work is part of Knots and Syllables, a series created using oya, an intricate lace-making technique traditional to Anatolia (Turkey) that is crafted through knotting. Oya is commonly used to adorn the edges of scarves, primarily worn by women, and carries a rich iconography that often reflects a marginalized relationship with the limits of language. For instance, red hot peppers in oya symbolize anger that cannot be—or is socially prohibited from being—expressed in words. The varied compositions in this series explore different dimensions of collective anger and hope, sometimes extending beyond the expressive limits of language.

Related works: Red Garden, Flower and Pepper, Pepper Mountain