Sibel Alpaslan

After all these years, I still love to play with clay and shape the mud with love. I see many things, but my subjects select me. I especially feel a deep connection to nature. It moves through me, and I strive to express this feeling in my work. I love the organic feeling of clay, knowing that it comes from the earth. And just as nature constantly surprises and delights me, I often include small, whimsical surprises in my ceramics.

This was instilled in me during my undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Marmarra in Istanbul. For over ten years, I had my ceramics gallery in Kusadasi on the Aegean Coast of Turkey. And now, I have become a sort of Turkish artistic ambassador to America. I think it is part of my artistic responsibility to draw from the previous generations and – through my hands, eyes, and heart – carry that wisdom and spirit into the future.

Education

GRADUATE DEGREE
1994-97 – Marmara University, School of Fine Art, Department of Ceramics and Glass

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
1990-94 – Marmara University, School of Fine Art, Department of Ceramics and Glass

Professional Experience

2008-11 Ceramics by Sibel – Ceramic Artist; Newburyport, MA
1999-2010 Atelier Cybele – Owner of ceramics studio & store; Kusadasi, Turkey
1996-97 Sahtas A.S – Artist in Pattern and Design Department; Izmir, Turkey
1995 Cinderella and Ucan Balon Childcare Centers – Ceramic teacher; Istanbul Turkey
1993-97 Sabanci Ozurluler Okulu – Ceramic teacher; Istanbul Turkey
1994 Sirca Ceramic Atelier – Internship; Cappadicia, Turkey
1993 Eczacibasi (Vitra) A.S Design Department – Internship; Cappadicia, Turkey Exhibitions and Publications

Exhibitions

2011 Chameleon Gallery 2011 Salon, Ipswich, MA
2011 “A Common Peace,” NH Potter’s Guild Exhibition, Sharon Arts Center, Peterborough, NH
2007 Exhibition, Design Zone, Istanbul 2004 Ton-On-Ton Exhibition Izmir, Turkey and Austria
2001 TRT (Turkey Radio & TV) Ceramics & Paintings Exhibitions; Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey
2000 Kusadasi “From Past to The Future”, Kusadasi, Turkey
1997 “Toprak” (Earth) Exhibition, Kusadasi, Turkey
1995 Ceramics from 70’s till today, Milli Reasunans Art Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey
1994 Ceramic Works Exhibition M.U.G.S.F, Istanbul
1994 Fatih Municipality Activities Exhibition, Istanbul
1992 Subconscious Ceramic Exhibition, Ayse Taki Art Gallery, Ortakoy, Istanbul, Turkey 1991 Ceramic Works Exhibition M.U.G.S.F, Istanbul, Turkey

Publications

2004 Ton-On Ton Symposium, Izmir, Turkey
2000 Kusadasi: “From Past to Future”, Symposium, Kusadasi, Turkey
1998 THESIS: “Historic and Cultural Relationships Between Ceramics, Humanity and the Earth”