C. M. Kosemen is an artist and researcher born in Ankara, Turkey. He studied at Cornell University, Istanbul’s Sabancı University, and holds a Masters’ degree from London’s Goldsmiths College.
Kosemen‘s areas of interest include surreal art, Mediterranean history, palaeontology, evolution, zoology and visual culture.
Kosemen’s art has been displayed in exhibits in Italy, Vienna, Istanbul, Ankara and London. His exhibits with Empire Project include his solo show, “Unutterable Expressions,” in 2014, the Bashibazouk group exhibit in 2013, the Contemporary Istanbul Fairs in 2012, 2013 and 2014. His other solo shows include “City of Love, City of Death,” at the Siyah Beyaz Arts Gallery in Ankara, 2015.
As a researcher, Kosemen is the author of books on various subjects. His book credits include Osman Hasan and the Tombstone Photographs of the Dönmes, from Libra Books of Istanbul, and All Yesterdays: Unique and Speculative Views of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals, and the Cryptozoologion, the Biology, Evolution and Mythology of Hidden Animals from Irregular Books of London
Kosemen was also an editor with Benetton Magazine‘s Colors magazine and worked in various advertising agencies.
“Man has gone out to explore other worlds and other civilizations without having explored his own labyrinth of dark passages and secret chambers, and without finding what lies behind doorways that he himself has sealed.”
― Stanisław Lem, Solaris
The Art of C. M. Kosemen
I believe that one can relate to humanity’s most common emotions by applying the right “combination code” of anatomical details and archetypical figures. We respond instinctively to raw images of limbs, faces, eyes, teeth, sexual organs, and the body parts of animals are instinctively recognizable thanks to our evolutionary heritage. Like the keys on a piano, each feature triggers a specific feeling, reflex or memory in the human psyche. The juxtaposition of such forms thus leads the viewer through a kaleidoscope of emotional responses, a journey into his or her subconscious. I believe this is one of the most primal aspects of all art. From the cave drawings of Lascaux onwards, people have used such symbolic forms to face their own, personal and collective “demons.”
My artwork focuses on such “demons” one encounters in life. With my series of simplistic, grotesque paintings, I aim to invoke the archetypical feelings of love, fear, regret, curiosity and lust that are shared by all people of all cultures. My personal adventures and secrets are all in here, and I’m certain that they will relate to your memories as well.
C. M. Kosemen
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