Can Akgümüş
Can Akgümüş’s Black Swan series hovers in the realm of ancient folklore, Greek mythology, and symbolism. However, in this body of work, his focus is on the physical form, where an armour made of flesh becomes the pivotal point of expression - flawed, durable, and fragile -changing over time as it carries the soul through life. To him, this transformation narrates the cycle of being.
From the moment of birth, we are exposed to the impact of past events, including the weight of responsibility and the general struggles of life. By understanding the context and interconnectedness of history - where individual narratives and events often fade in significance - these recollections are passed down from generation to generation, from one century to the next, continuing to exist through invisible ties.
Perhaps Akgümüş’s Black Swan series ultimately signifies that all things are transient, lacking a permanent essence, and are subject to constant change. He affirms: “Those who think they possess it are mistaken; our mortal lives are only meant to bear witness, not to own.”
