​b e r n a a y
Berna Ay’s artistic practice explores the intricate relationship between human beings and their environment, particularly focusing on the psychological and physical effects of climate change on human health. Sketching the psychosomatic fallout of environmental change, she shows how deeply the body reacts to what surrounds it. Her work is characterized by a minimalist approach and a carefree style, often depicting figures interacting with elements of nature. Recurring motifs include characters with plants—such as trees or cabbages—growing from their heads, eyes, or mouths, symbolizing the allergic reactions triggered by environmental factors. Her work turns climate anxiety into something oddly tender.
EDUCATION
2011 - 2018 Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSU), Painting Department, Istanbul, Türkiye
COLLECTIONS
Odunpazarı Modern Museum (OMM Art), EskiÅŸehir, Türkiye
THB Yat Ä°ÅŸletmeleri ve Su Sporları Tic. A.Åž. Bodrum, MuÄŸla, Türkiye
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025 ​ The Weather I Wake Up To Is No Longer the Same, Hošek Contemporary, Berlin, Germany
2023 Inhale - Exhale, Pyke, Prizren, Kosovo
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 Rome International Art Fair 2024, Medina Art Gallery, ISTLIQUID SRLS, Roma, Italy
2024 Pop-up Series, Büyükdere35 Gallery, Istanbul, Türkiye
2024 5-5 [Plug-In&Plug-Out]: Plugging an Art Collective, Subsqu, https://sub.hotglue.me/tak-cikar
2023 FOCUS Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London, England
2022 “Gender - Free” Chain, Akaretler Sıraevler 17, Istanbul, Türkiye
2021 Contemporary Istanbul, Istanbul, Türkiye
2021 Cure, https://www.cure.ist/cure-project
2020 Contemporary Istanbul, Istanbul, Türkiye
2020 Step Istanbul, Taksim 360, Istanbul, Türkiye
2020 Topluluk, Üretimhane, Istanbul, Türkiye
2019 In Between Pilgrim, Space Debris Art, Istanbul, Türkiye
2018 Mamut Art Project, Küçükçiftlik Park, Istanbul, Türkiye
2018 Base Istanbul, Galata Greek School, Istanbul, Türkiye
2017 Painting Department Salon Exhibition, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSU), Istanbul, Türkiye
2016 Atelier 4 Exhibition, Tophane-i Amire Culture And Art Center (MSGSU), Istanbul, Türkiye
2015 Painting Department Salon Exhibition, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSU), Istanbul, Türkiye
FILM FESTIVALS
2025 Runny Nose - Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions Volume 8
2025 Dear Climate - Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions Volume 7
2023 Clap - Athens International Montly Art Film Festival, Honorable Mention
2022 Clap - Lift Off Sessions
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EXPERIENCE
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2025 Coloring Artist for Portal, an animation by Çağıl Harmandar
2018 Trainer, Okulum Ä°stanbul Modern’de Project, Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Istanbul, Türkiye
2015 - 2017 Assistant to Lithography Atelier, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSU), Painting Department, Istanbul, Türkiye