Begüm Malkoçlar
Begum (b. 1999) is a Turkish artist working between Istanbul and London. Her art explores the intrinsic relationship between reality and fiction, reflecting the fluid and dynamic nature of memory. Engaging deeply with her cultural heritage, she examines how memories are shaped and transformed through a humanistic and intuitive lens.
In her practice, Begum navigates fundamental themes of existence, investigating the formation of personal and cultural identities and the connections that bind humanity to nature. To bridge the past and present, she employs a diverse array of media, including analog and digital film, hand-drawn and digitally-created illustrations, embroidery, collages, and writing. Her work embodies a playful, childlike spirit, intertwining fiction and non-fiction in a theatrical restaging of narratives.
As a contemporary artist, Begum actively seeks to uncover and preserve the past, embracing its vast possibilities while remaining open to new interpretations as her practice evolves. To her, the past is a mystery to be unraveled—one that requires the slow weaving of a tapestry across time and space, reinventing the unknowns through creative storytelling. In this process, she aims to construct a personal archive that examines expressions of memory—dreams, myths, and stories—developing an alternative historical perspective on human experience and deepening her understanding of the self.
Begum Malkoclar holds a BA from Pratt Institute in New York City and a Master’s in Contemporary Art Practice from the Royal College of Art. She has participated in various group exhibitions in New York City, London and Istanbul.
Exhibitions, Residencies & Workshops
2024
“Azulejos de Bedoo”, FOOTPRINT, Zaratan, Lisbon, Portugual
“Once there was, Once there wasn’t, Zaratan, Lisbon, Portugual
“The Reason for All I.L.Y”, BASE 2024, Istanbul
Artist in Residency, Zaratan, Lisbon, Portugual
“Midday Car Crash In The Middle Of The Bosphorus Bridge”, Longlisted Spring Exhibition, The Homiens Art Prize, United States
“Aquatic Lunacy”, Finalist, Emerging Artist Exhibiton, Art Collide
Artist Residency, 484 Urban Garden x Büyükdere35 Gallery, Istanbul, Türkiye
2023
“The Boulevard of Lost Faces”, Flouze Art Fundraiser for Morocco, Royal Georges, London, UK
Creative Writing Workshop with Mario Levi, BuART, Istanbul, Türkiye
“The Reason For All, I.L.Y”, Prince Charles Cinema, Royal College of Arts Film Screening, London, UK
“The Reason For All, I.L.Y”, Royal College of Arts Degree Show, RCA2023, London, UK
“The Patterns of Our Childhood”, Beyond Surface, Tate Modern Lates, London, UK
Creative Writing Workshop with Murat Gülsoy, BUYEM, Istanbul, Türkiye
2021
“Anane”, Pratt Institute Film and Video Undergraduate Degree Show, New York City, US
Creative Writing and Improvisation Workshop with Kemal Hamamcioglu, Craft Theater Company, Istanbul, Türkiye
2020
“The Case of Object Unspecified 152”, Junior Year Film Screening, Pratt Institute , New York City, USA
“The Case of Object Unspecified 152”, Trinity Film Festival, Audience Choice Awards, New York City, USA
For Inquiries: bedoojournal@gmail.com
