Artist Registry
The White Columns Curated Artist Registry is an online platform for emerging and under-recognized artists to share images and information about their respective practices. The Registry seeks to create a context for artists who have yet to benefit from wider critical, curatorial or commercial support. To be eligible, artists cannot be affiliated with a commercial gallery in New York City.
To apply to the Registry, click here. Join our mailing list here to receive our open call announcement and other programming updates. For any further questions about the Registry, please contact us at registry@whitecolumns.org.
RESUME
MEHMET & KAZIM
info@mehmetandkazim.com
lnstagram: @mehmet_and_kazim_akal
Mehmet & Kazım is an artist duo that utilizes stereotypes and propaganda strategies both as subjects and methods in their work. Their creations humorously challenge traditional classifications and categorizations, offering a playful yet critical examination of societal norms and conventions.
Through their paintings, zines, videos, and books, they parody these classifications by referencing them. They draw influences from comics, advertisements, and urban culture icons without directly replicating them. This blend of satire and incisive commentary invites viewers to question the validity and rigidity of accepted norms, promoting a more nuanced and open-minded perspective.
By incorporating elements of pop culture and urban iconography, they craft a unique visual language that is both accessible and thought-provoking. Their aim is to engage a diverse audience in a dialogue about the absurdity of stereotypes and the fluidity of identity. Mehmet & Kazım's work not only entertains but also provokes thought, encouraging deeper reflection on the constructs that shape our perceptions and behaviors.
2015 – 2019
Academy of Fine Arts, Munich - Class of Markus Oehlen
AWARDS AND HONORS
2015
Scholarship, Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB)
2018
Scholarship, Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes
2019
Project Grant, Erwin und Gisela von Steiner-Stiftung
Project Grant, LfA Förderbank Bayern
Diploma Award, Academy Association Munich – Association of Friends and Supporters of the Academy of Fine Arts Munich
2020
Working Grant, Stiftung Kunstfonds
Studio Grant, State Capital Munich
2021
Project Grant, LfA Förderbank Bayern
Project Grant, Stiftung Van de Loo
2022
USA-Residency Grant, Bavarian State Ministry for Science and Art
Neustart Kultur, Stiftung Kunstfonds
2023
Studio Grant, State Capital Munich
2024
Winner of the Art in Architecture competition with a permanent Installation for the German Bundestag in Berlin
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Artothek, Munich
Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus und Kunstbau, Munich (Museums collection)
Istanbul Modern, Istanbul (Museums collection)
Galerie der Stadt Sindelfingen (Museums collection)
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
*Catalog
2024
Mural @ Pilevneli Gallery, Bodrum
EDDING 3000 - Kunst-Station @ Städtische Galerie Wolfsburg
Irgendwas mit Dystopie @ Kunstverein Heppenheim
Cherry Pop @ Contemporary fine Arts, Berlin*
2023
Black Paintings @ Contemporary fine Arts, Basel
Juicy @ Pilevneli Gallery, Bodrum
ENDLICH KOHLE MACHEN @ Galerie Trocken, Berlin
2022
Bad and Boujee @ Pilevneli gallery, Istanbul
No Artistas @ Kissing Cousins space, Decentraland
Kinky & Flirty @ Ca di dio, Venice
2021
No Artistas, Verlag für moderne Kunst / Parallel Vienna, Vienna
2020
Le Peep-Show, Kunstverein Friedrichshafen*
Oriental Diary, Mandarin Oriental, Munich
2019
FEATURING pt. 2, Talbot Runhof, Zurich
FEATURING pt. 1, Talbot Runhof, Berlin
Oriental, Academy of Fine Arts, Munich*
2018
REP YO COLORS, Akademiegalerie, Munich
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
*Catalog /
2024
"Ben beyinsiz bir aptalım" @ Pilevneli Gallery, Istanbul
"Dass die Göttin nicht himmelwärts, sondern herab nach ihren Freunden blickt" @ secci Gallery, Florenz
"Gabi Dziuba & Friends" live performance @ Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim
2023
"MAGIC + COOL. Malerei der Jahrtausendwende" @ Museum Penzberg
"LIVE/EVIL RECORD STORE & SOUVENIRS", Munich
"DER BIO-ADAPTER" @ CFA Berlin
"Zwei. Zur Aktualität des Duos (to the actuality of the duo) @ Städtische Galerie Villingen Schwenningen
Sonne und Luft - directed by Emre Akal @ Schauspielhaus Graz in cooperation with Steirischer Herbst, Graz
Prof. Markus Oehlen sagt Ciao! @ Rote Sonne, Munich
"Die Welt ist noch auf einen Abend mein" Galería Ehrhardt Flórez, Madrid
2022
OHNE TITEL, Junge Malerei aus Süddeutschland und der Deutschschweiz, Kunstmuseum Singen* (Young Painting from Southern Germany and German-speaking Switzerland, Singen Art Museum*.)
Göttersimulation - Stage design / Video. Written and directed by Emre Akal @ Münchner Kammerspiele, Munich
Tschüßi Gabi - fünf Künstler, ein Brief. Raum Linksrechts, Hamburg
The Patriot, O`Flaherty`s, New York
Summer Group Show, Pilevneli Gallery, Bodrum
Ed von Schlecks Grill-Lustbarkeit, Auge und Welt, Aachen
Albrecht Dürer revisited, Museum Otto Schäfer, Schweinfurt*
Plakatkampagne @ Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich
2021
Plakatkampagne, Residenztheater and Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich
Welche Stimmung fanden Sie dort vor?, Galerie Russi Klenner, Berlin
Markus Oehlen plus Meisterschüler, Galerie Noah, Augsburg
2020
Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst, München / Munich
Liebesgrüsse aus Syke, Syker Vorwerk, Syke*
Setting R.W.F. alive, MIM, Munich
Ansbach Contemporary 2020, Ansbach
12qm Körperformation, Fassbindertage, Munich
2019
Denkraum Deutschland, Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich
Zimmer frei 2019, Hotel Mariandl, Munich
L’artiste devant sa toile, Marburger Kunstverein, Marburg
Die Blüte der Präzision, Kunstverein Ebersberg
Debutants, Haus der Kunst, Munich
2018
Neue Deutsche Malerei, LINKSRECHTS, Hamburg
2017
STRAUßLAND, Galerie Verein Berliner Künstler, Berlin
Tiefes Loch auf Teppich, Kunstpavillon, Munich