Spheres are reminiscent of cells, the minuscule building blocks that form the human body. Cells are the smallest components that represent life in our bodies.

The idea behind of the exhibition came about during my interactions with the Histopathology Laboratory of IRB Barcelona (Institute of Research in Biomedicine). The scientists were observing samples taken from healthy and unhealthy tissues (such as liver, eye, skin or lung) under the microscope. Visual differences between healthy and unhealthy tissues allow researchers to understand disease. This can be likened at my artwork, which relies on visual representations. The exhibition focuses mainly on the visually distinctive forms of these tissues. I adapted my observations in order to produce large-scale stained glass paintings. The work makes the “invisible” parts of the human body (the cells) “visible” and invite the audience to experience human cell structures on a large scale with the use of daylight.

The exhibition was held in the Operation Room of Recinte Modernista Sant Pau which boasts huge panes of glass that once allowed daylight to flood in while surgery was undertaken. Sant Pau is hospital complex that is today partly an Art Nouveau Site. The paintings were placed against the windows of the Operation Room. The site-specific installation is the contemporary interpretation of “stained glass (vitrail)” art that goes well with the Catalan Modernist spirit of the Pavillion. The spirit of being luminous, bright, absolutely full of light. The installation relies on daylight, as did the Operation Room back in the old days. The colors of the paintings will change depending on the intensity of the daylight outside.

This project is the result of the Suter`s collaboration with IRB Barcelona as an Artist in Resident that Süter carried out during 2018, and she was selected to be the only official Artist in Residence at IRB Barcelona. Quo Artis Foundation is one of the members of the jury for this residency program, and the curator of Ayşe Gül Süter`s solo show “Microspheres”. The project was also supported by Turkish Cultural Foundation and Barcelona Turkish Consulate General.

Photos © Pere Virgill