Özgür Kar’s works assemble in space to function as scenes from theatre pieces: each serves as a character playing its part within a non-linear score and script. Working with voice actors and instrumentalists, Kar produces multi-part soundscapes that unfold through solemn repetition, forging existential dread mixed with cartoonish macabre. Stoic in their contemplation, his minimally animated drawings are set in imperceptible loops that turn videos into sculptures confined within the edge of television screens. Beyond the camp-ness of macabre, or the grotesque anxiety of death juxtaposed with cartoonish figures, the theatricality of Kar’s work is set in tonal displays of contemporary existentialism.

Özgür Kar was born in Ankara, Turkey in 1992. He now lives and works in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Education

Özgür Kar studied at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam, NL (2019-2020), Sandberg Instituut, Amsterdam, NL (2016-2018), Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam, NL (2012-2015).

Exhibitions

Kar’s work has been presented in numerous solo exhibitions, including: At the end of the day, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (2022); STORAGE DRAMA, Emalin, London (2021); MACABRE, Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris (2021); MACABRE, Kunstverein Gartenhaus, Vienna (2021); A Decade of Submission, Edouard Montassut, Paris (2020); Exposed, public sculpture at Europarådet plass, Oslo (2019); A New Start, UKS (Young Artist Institute), Oslo (2019); Finally you are in me, Taylor Macklin, Zürich (2018)

His work has also been shown in selected group exhibitions, including: 24h (in collaboration with Super Super Markt) BRAUNSFELDER, Cologne (2022); The 16th Lyon Biennale of Contemporary Art: Manifesto of Fragility, Lyon (2022); Fata Morgana, Jeu de Paume, Paris (2021); Thru the Mirror, Quinta do Quetzal, Vidigueira (2021); It's just a phase, K.U.K. Kjøpmannsgata Ung Kunst, Trondheim (2020); Architecture of Confinement, Bnkr, Munich (2020); Anticorps, Palais de Tokyo, Paris (2019); Sâr Dubnotal, CAC Brétigny, Brétigny (2019); Volkskrant Kunst Prijs, Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, Schiedam (2019); Group Show, Edouard Montassut Gallery, Paris (2018); Tabula Rasa, Watermill Art Centre, New York (2018); Noise! Frans Hals Otherwise, Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem (2017); Archive Fever, Emalin, London (2017); Cruising Pavilion, 16th Venice Architecture Biennale, Spazio Punch, Venice (2017); I sit down they tell me, Future Gallery, Berlin (2017); A ha, Aguirre, Mexico City (2017)