Curator Name: Gülistan Kenanoğlu / SB Arch Lab
Residency Dates: February – March 2025
Hometown: Diyarbakır
Lives & Works: Diyarbakır and New York, NY
URL: sbarchlab.com | LinkedIn | Instagram @gulistankenanoglu
Education:
2023 – MA in Design & Curatorial Studies, KHAS – Kadir Has University
2019 – Bachelor of Architecture, AGU – Abdullah Gül University
Bio/Statement:
Gülistan Kenanoğlu is an architect, founder of the SB Arch Lab initiative with a Bachelor of Architecture, and an independent curator with an MA in Design & Curatorial Studies. Kenanoğlu’s work explores the complex relation of deconstruction and construction practices in the architecture of post-conflict cities by zooming into oriental studies and postcolonial theory. Further, she adopts a collaborative and participatory curatorial practice – exploring exposition and fetishism – going hand in hand with her architecture practice. Her works have been awarded several grants and exhibited at different institutions. Some of her works include: the curation of a group exhibition “Divine Violence / Jin, Jîyan, Azadî (ژن، ژیان، ئازادی)” at apexart gallery (2024); the exhibition of a research process “Expropriation and Displacement: Spatial Politics Under Capital” as part of BAK (basis voor actuele kunst) Fellowship for Situated Practice (2023-2024) and the Istanbul Biennial Production and Research Programme (ÇAP) at Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV); the curation of a group exhibition “Becoming Tree: What Do Trees Tell Us?” as part of Good Design Izmir (2022); a visual essay “Bad Romance” in Designing into the Future Residency Program as part of the 5th Istanbul Design Biennial (2020).
In 2020, Gülistan Kenanoğlu founded Spaces Between Architecture Lab (SB Arch Lab) to create an alternative research platform for emerging architects and art practitioners to explore multiple ways of practicing art, architecture, and design. SB Arch Lab supports research-based projects mostly focusing on urban-rural transformation under heavy conflicts, Anthropocene and Capitalocene through the lens of post-colonialism and post-migration in a transnational stage. Kenanoğlu, a representative of SB Arch Lab, believes in the power of solidarity practices, and collective knowledge production to approach societies and transform social systems.
