Pkok curated art

Meet Damla Şahinbaş (X: @damlasahinbas_), an experimental photographer living and working in Istanbul, Turkey. Damla studied Photography and Video at Yıldız Technical University, where they began exploring the complexities of identity, socio-political structures, and personal experience through lens-based media. 

Rooted in introspection and activism, Damla’s practice interrogates dominant narratives, often channeling the nuances of queerness, gender, and societal expectations. 

Delve into this thread to find out more about the fascinating art world of Damla.
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The foundation of Damla’s artistic voice emerged from grappling with their own sexual identity early in life. These formative experiences developed into a core theme in the artist’s work: creating safe zones where individuals can explore and assert their identities free from societal pressures. 

Early photographic works functioned as digital documentaries, capturing lived realities and giving voice to those often left unseen. Over time, this aspect transitioned into a more tactile engagement with film photography and darkroom experimentation—spaces that allowed Damla to redefine images, and in the process, themselves.
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Collecting & curating digital art  |  /pkok /pkokcurated  | https://www.hypersub.xyz/s/pkok-art-18ixo8us07ytc/1

The darkroom became a transformative site for Damla, where the process of deconstructing and reconstructing images paralleled the journey of self-discovery. This shift coincided with the pandemic era, when isolation led the artist  to reflect more deeply on personal history, particularly the relationship with their mother. 

What began as a socially motivated photographic initiative soon evolved into an intimate body of work. Damla’s storytelling through analog film not only captured a personal metamorphosis but also served as a broader commentary on familial bonds and generational resilience.
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Among Damla’s notable works is the collection  titled *Canan, we are free now*, created in 2023 as part of the #TezQuakeAid campaign for earthquake relief efforts. 

One piece was acquired by Misan Harriman @misanhariman and raised 2,000 XTZ, becoming part of  the Tezos Permanent Collection. For an artist who once struggled to find space in traditional art circles, this platform offered renewed purpose, community, and acknowledgment.
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I'm a visual artist from Argentina 
https://linktr.ee/lucianaguerraok