Şengül Özdemir, known as Shen Özdemir, is a transdisciplinary artist from Belgium (Hainaut, Wallonia), a land steeped in folklore. Growing up, she witnessed numerous carnivals without understanding their importance and wondered about her place within these folk festivals. Feelings of discomfort and a critical perspective enabled the artist to develop her own imaginary carnival, a border-free utopia, where peace takes central stage. Channelling her sensitivity to the world, she developed this fantastical universe and named it Karnavalo in 2020.
The intention of Karnavalo is to create an international human community through cultural syncretism. By imagining a shared narrative, the aim is to create a completely inclusive carnival. Made up of multiple troupes of merry heads, this imaginary universe enables her to express herself fully, free of any societal norms.
Each troupe is defined by a distinct family, fuelling the festivity and abundance of the carnival. Shen Özdemir’s inspiration often comes from her questioning attitude to society. Encounters created with her Karnavalo also help foster continual development. Rich human experiences translate into the extensive range of materials used: textile printing, papier mâché, plaster, stained glass, assembly, etc. Ever focused on inclusion, she views the accessibility of her artworks as essential to her practice. She is keen to ensure that Karnavalo is understood by one and all, irrespective of age or background, to prevent anyone from feeling marginalised, a loneliness that has affected her deeply since childhood.
↑ © Shen Özdemir