The increasing numbers of femicide in Turkey in 2020 sparked public outrage and protests. Meanwhile, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) announced it would withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, a treaty signed by member states of the Council of Europe to prevent violence and domestic abuse against women. Since then, I have been designing posters to be used at the international women’s day march to raise awareness about women’s rights.
I wanted to support the women and LGBTQ+ people to help them voice their concerns and anger by visualizing their slogans and making these designs available to be printed and turn them into handheld protest signs. These are some of the posters I have made in the last three years that were printed out and used by protestors.
Told through the satiric lens of vintage valentine’s day postcards, this collection reflects upon and criticizes the situation that Turkish women have found themselves in, in “modern” Turkey. While consciously using colorful and cute designs, these images provide contrast to all the hateful and misogynistic actions of the government; this was my contribution to the protests where thousands of women demanding justice flooded the streets of Turkey.
translation: Istanbul Convention Saves Lives
translation: The government should effectively implement the law No.6284
(law on the Prevention of Violence Against Women)
translation: If you ever feel hopeless, remember this crowd
translation: Feel my anger, Shout your anger
translation: If you ever get afraid of the dark at night, we'll set this city on fire
translation: Laws are written on the street
translation: We are not silent. We are not afraid. We do not obey.
translation: Woman, Life, Freedom (Kurdish)
