Can Maden is a Turkish contemporary artist, born in Istanbul in 1961. She works in mixed media — watercolour, ink, collage, and coffee grounds — around nature, memory, and human connection. Her work has been shown at Istanbul Modern and Pera Museum among others.

What kind of work does she make?

Mixed media on paper, mostly. Watercolour and ink form the base; collage, digital elements, coffee grounds, and plant extracts are layered over it. The recurring subject is the point where a form starts to dissolve — bodies, landscapes, and the space between dreaming and waking.

Some works are available, some are in collections, and some are not for sale. Email canmaden7@gmail.com with the title of the piece and the studio will tell you its status, size, and price. There is no online checkout — every sale is handled directly.

Do you take commissions?

Occasionally, and only when the subject genuinely fits the practice. Describe what you have in mind, where it will hang, and your timeframe. Expect a considered yes or no rather than a quick one.

Istanbul. Can Maden has worked in the city throughout her career and it remains the main source of the work's material and subject matter. Studio visits are by arrangement only.

Which exhibitions has the work been in?

Group shows including 'Akıştaki Formlar' at Istanbul Modern and '100 Years in the Light of the Republic' at Pera Museum, the solo exhibition 'Düşçü / Dreamer', and shows in Germany. The exhibitions page carries the complete record with dates and venues.

Is anything on right now?

When there is, a banner appears at the top of every page with the venue and closing date, and the exhibition is marked 'On now' in the timeline. If you see neither, nothing is currently open.

How do I propose an exhibition or request a loan?

Write with the institution, the dates, the curatorial premise, and which works you have in mind. Curatorial enquiries are answered first — they take longer to assess but they are the ones that get a real reply.

Where do I get high-resolution images?

The press kit has the artist portrait, a representative work, the short and long biography, and the correct spelling of every title. Anything beyond that, ask — the studio will send files for a specific piece.

Can I reproduce a work in a publication?

For editorial coverage of the work or an exhibition, usually yes — ask first, and credit as 'Can Maden, [Title], [Year]'. Commercial use, merchandise, and AI training are not permitted. Images on this site are not licensed for reuse by default.

Do you give interviews?

Yes, around exhibitions. Send the outlet, the format, the deadline, and roughly what you want to cover. Written questions by email are the easiest to accommodate.

What are 'studio updates'?

The bell in the header lists exhibitions and writing published since your last visit. It is worked out in your own browser from what is already on the site — nothing is tracked, and there is nothing to sign up for. Preferences lets you choose which types appear, or mute the counter entirely. Clearing your browser storage resets it.

Can I read the site in English?

Yes. Use the TR/EN switch in the header, or open Preferences to set it along with the theme. The choice is kept on your device. Turkish is the primary language, so a few exhibition texts stay in Turkish where a translation would flatten them.

What is the 3D gallery?

A walkable room hung with a selection of the work, for looking at pieces at something closer to their real scale. It needs WebGL and a reasonably recent device. Everything in it is also in the ordinary archive.

What data does this site collect?

Anonymised page analytics, and whatever you type into the contact form. Preferences and read state live in your browser, not on a server. There are no accounts and no advertising trackers.

Istanbul’s Contemporary Art Context

A context guide to Istanbul’s contemporary art ecosystem and how it informs Can Maden’s mixed media practice, from institutions to neighborhood networks.

CM

Can Maden Art Studio12 Eylül 2024 · güncellendi 7 Ağustos 2025 · 1 dk okuma

Istanbul art

contemporary art

context

institutions

culture

Institutions and archives

Museums and archives such as Istanbul Modern and Pera Museum provide a living context for contemporary practice. Exhibitions and educational programs influence both thematic research and formal experimentation.

Neighborhood networks

Kadıköy, Karaköy, and Beyoğlu host galleries, studios, and artist-run spaces. These neighborhoods foster collaboration, critiques, and material exchange that feed into studio practice.

Global dialogue

Istanbul bridges regional narratives with global contemporary art conversations, creating a setting where local materials and techniques resonate internationally.

Frequently asked questions

How does Istanbul influence Can Maden’s work?

The city’s layers of history and material culture inspire the textures, rhythms, and spatial sensibility visible in mixed media compositions.

Which institutions matter most for contemporary art in Istanbul?

Istanbul Modern, Pera Museum, and university programs provide influential exhibitions, archives, and educational initiatives that shape the broader ecosystem.

Stüdyodan haberler

Yeni işleri ilk siz görün

Yeni bir sergi açıldığında ya da bir seri tamamlandığında ara sıra kısa bir not. Yılda birkaç taneyi geçmez.

Ne beklemelisiniz

Yılda dört ila altı e-posta — haftalık bülten değil.
Yeni sergiler, tamamlanan seriler ve açık stüdyo günleri.
Adresiniz yalnızca bunun için kullanılır. Tek tıkla çıkabilirsiniz.

Abone ol

İstanbul'da ve dışında koleksiyonerler, küratörler ve yazarlar okuyor.