Elif Saydam

Elif Saydam

BornNationalityBased In
1985CanadianBerlin
Biography

Elif Saydam creates alluring, multi-layered canvases which host elements of both ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture. Saydam begins each piece by collecting materials and photographs gathered in both public and private space. An image of a municipal building for example might act as an atmospheric layer for the artist to build upon. The detritus of our daily lives such as chocolate wrappers or cigarette papers are then embedded with highly valued materials such as 23-carat gold and oil paints, creating tableaux which lay bare the biases and privileges which govern late capitalist society. Each piece is laden with religious symbols, gestural markings and art historical references. Drawing on their own Turkish heritage, the artist cites the influence of miniature Ottoman painting in particular as a crucial aesthetic pull. In Saydam’s own words, they are interested in ‘weaponizing the decorative’. They’re eager to unpack why illustrious, grand details within classical painting are culturally revered for example, whilst ornate packaging on sweets is considered tacky or kitsch. With an interest in uncovering the construction of beauty, Saydam creates sensorially rich works which urge viewers to reconsider their own understandings of beauty. ...

Selected Artworks
Late night shop
Elif Saydam
Late night shop, 2022
119 x 84 x 4cm
Flaggin' orange
Elif Saydam
Flaggin' orange, 2022
30 x 21 x 2cm
Flaggin' green
Elif Saydam
Flaggin' green, 2022
30 x 21 x 2cm
Zu spät (VI)
Elif Saydam
Zu spät (VI), 2022
30 x 21 x 2cm
Selling out
Elif Saydam
Selling out, 2022
30 x 21 x 2cm
Mejnun Finds Relief
Elif Saydam
Mejnun Finds Relief, 2024
152.4 x 68.58 x 5.08cm
The Line for Leyla is Long
Elif Saydam
The Line for Leyla is Long, 2024
152.4 x 71.12 x 5.08cm
Unhinged
Elif Saydam
Unhinged, 2024
152.4 x 71.12 x 2.54cm
Lovers (I)
Elif Saydam
Lovers (I), 2025
17.78 x 2.54 x 27.94cm
Lovers (II)
Elif Saydam
Lovers (II), 2025
17.78 x 27.94 x 2.54cm
Lovers (III)
Elif Saydam
Lovers (III), 2025
17.78 x 27.94 x 2.54cm
Last minute moonlight
Elif Saydam
Last minute moonlight, 2022
119 x 84 x 4cm
Night store
Elif Saydam
Night store, 2022
119 x 84 x 4cm
Hell
Elif Saydam
Hell, 2022
30 x 21 x 2cm
(Nostalgia) for the breaktime
Elif Saydam
(Nostalgia) for the breaktime, 2023
42 x 60cm
(Nostalgia) for the hours
Elif Saydam
(Nostalgia) for the hours, 2023
42 x 60cm
(Nostalgia) for the job
Elif Saydam
(Nostalgia) for the job, 2023
42 x 60cm
Gallery Representation
Awards
Kunstfonds NEUSTART Kultur2022
Kunstfonds NEUSTART Kultur2022
Singular Plurality: Canada in Germany2021
Singular Plurality: Canada in Germany2021
Kunstfonds Neustart Kultur2020
Förderpreis ‘Kataloge für junge Künstler’2020
Kunstfonds Neustart Kultur2020
Förderpreis ‘Kataloge für junge Künstler’2020
Sobey Award Longlist, National Gallery of Canada2018
RFSU Ottarfonden, Skeppsta hyutta2018
Sobey Award Longlist, National Gallery of Canada2018
RFSU Ottarfonden, Skeppsta hyutta2018
Marianne-Defet-Malerei-Stipendium, Da Vinci Pinselfabrik / Kunstverein Nürnberg Albrecht Dürer Gesellschaft2016
Linklaters LLP Prize for Painting2016
Marianne-Defet-Malerei-Stipendium, Da Vinci Pinselfabrik / Kunstverein Nürnberg Albrecht Dürer Gesellschaft2016
Linklaters LLP Prize for Painting2016
Professional Development Award2012
Professional Development Award2012
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