A journey to utopia through merve atılgan’s art other side of the universe

A Journey to Utopia Through Merve Atılgan’s Art: Other Side of the Universe

“In fact, we are living on the very planet we call paradise. When we disconnect from nature, we disconnect from ourselves.”
– Merve Atılgan

Opened on April 10, 2025, at x-ist, Merve ATILGAN’s first solo exhibition, Other Side of the Universe, takes art enthusiasts on a mesmerizing journey. Drawing great interest on its opening day, the exhibition stands out with the artist’s profound narrative and powerful visual language.

A Ballerina, An Illustrator, A Storyteller

Defining herself as a “multidisciplinary artist and illustrator,” Merve ATILGAN has been immersed in ballet since the age of five. After studying animation and cartoon, she shifted her focus to illustration, creating children’s books that she both writes and illustrates, producing works both in Turkey and abroad. Now, she brings more complex and layered techniques to the heart of her art, evolving from digital to mixed media.

“I started with digital, but now I work with materials like dry pastel, acrylic, and watercolor. The layered production process feels more organic to me.”

Merve atilgan’ın İlk kişisel sergisi “other side of the universe” sanatseverlerle buluştu! (2)

A Narrative Tracing the Wild Woman, Rooted in Mythological Depth

The exhibition Other Side of the Universe presents a powerful narrative that highlights the suppressed nature of women and their inseparable bond with the natural world. Shaped by mythology, archaeology, and feminist historical interpretations, the exhibition centers around the wild woman archetype, the historical transformation of the “witch,” and the human connection to nature.

“The witch was originally a wise woman. Over time, she was turned into a negative image. I’m trying to invert these archetypes. This exhibition is a call to return—both to our bodies and our essence.”

In ATILGAN’s works, not only humans but also nature, forests, distant lands, and plants speak. The systematic suppression of both nature and women transforms into a form of protest in her art.

“We are not separate from nature. We are part of one another. What we call utopia is actually a world where we live in harmony with nature.”

Breaking the Codes

The exhibition questions the unsustainability of the current system and poses a central question to the viewer: Is a more equal, healthier, and nature-aligned utopia possible?

“The patriarchal system, which has lasted for thousands of years, is cracking. With this exhibition, I’m trying to plant an image that another world is possible. Because if an image exists, it has a chance to become reality.”

The Works and Techniques

The exhibition features 11 works in total—three digital prints and the rest original mixed media pieces. The artist layers different materials to build her own visual language.

“Each piece is a multifaceted journey, both in terms of technique and narrative. It also reflects my own inner transformation.”

Exhibition Details

📅 Dates: April 10 – May 10, 2025
📍 Location: x-ist
🔗 Instagram: @artxist

Art lovers can visit the exhibition for a full month. Merve ATILGAN will also be present at the gallery on certain days to have one-on-one conversations with visitors.


The evolution of art – episode 63 – bersen Özkan, günsu saraçoğlu – evrim sanat, mikado communication
The Evolution of Art – Episode 63 – Bersen Özkan, Günsu Saraçoğlu – Evrim Sanat, Mikado Communication
A revolutionary collaboration in digital accommodation from trampax and mars
A Revolutionary Collaboration in Digital Accommodation from Trampax and MARS
Hilal kaya “sultan” stands out with its powerful lyrics and 70s psychedelic funk tones
Hilal Kaya “Sultan” stands out with its powerful lyrics and 70s psychedelic funk tones
From comics to canvases tove jansson’s multidisciplinary art in istanbul
From Comics to Canvases: Tove Jansson’s Multidisciplinary Art in Istanbul
For those who want to trace the fractal unfinished things akın ekici, uğur batı
For Those Who Want to Trace the Fractal: Unfinished Things – Akın Ekici, Uğur Batı
Emotions expressed through oil and acrylic painting the sorrow exhibition – arzu kılıçdoğan, hayri ağan, nesrin sağlam
Emotions Expressed Through Oil and Acrylic Painting: The Sorrow Exhibition – Arzu Kılıçdoğan, Hayri Ağan, Nesrin Sağlam
Gülsin onay – praise from the famous pianist to the young generation – special interview with eylül aşkın
Gülsin Onay – Praise from the Famous Pianist to the Young Generation – Special Interview with Eylül Aşkın
A journey from the backstreets of istanbul to abbey road nervous by design
A Journey from the Backstreets of Istanbul to Abbey Road: Nervous by Design
The evolution of art episode 62 – hasan Çevik, günsu saraçoğlu – evrim art, mikado communication
The Evolution of Art Episode 62 – Hasan Çevik, Günsu Saraçoğlu – Evrim Art, Mikado Communication
Burcu kurt embarks on a unique journey between jazz and pop with “aşka meyilli” (2)
Burcu Kurt Embarks on a Unique Journey Between Jazz and Pop with “Aşka Meyilli”
İbrahim tayfur – a visual expression, an emotional depth hizzamanyaŞam
İbrahim Tayfur – A Visual Expression, an Emotional Depth: HIZZAMANYAŞAM
Serhat kiraz the rhythm of numbers, the symphony of colors “transform”
Serhat Kiraz – The Rhythm of Numbers, the Symphony of Colors “Transform”
The colorful mosaics found in elazığ shed light on anatolia's mysterious past
The Colorful Mosaics Found in Elazığ Shed Light on Anatolia’s Mysterious Past
The guitar genius marcin to perform in turkey this may
The Guitar Genius Marcin to Perform in Turkey This May
Expanding into global markets with artificial intelligence tools new opportunities for smes
Expanding into Global Markets with Artificial Intelligence Tools: New Opportunities for SMEs
Tgl has started training drivers with src3 and src5 certificates.
TGL has started training drivers with SRC3 and SRC5 certificates.
Journey into the poetic and artistic world of water with the suda saklı exhibition
Journey into the Poetic and Artistic World of Water with the “Suda Saklı” Exhibition
Discover the colorful sides of life gülnur günakan ''has a place inside all of us hepimizin İçinde bir yer''
Discover the Colorful Sides of Life: Gülnur Günakan ”Has a Place Inside All of Us – Hepimizin İçinde Bir Yer”
Turkey's travel and tourism industry will experience its golden age in 2025
Turkey’s Travel and Tourism Industry Will Experience Its Golden Age in 2025
Predator savage lands – a new battle begins on a distant planet
Predator: Savage Lands – A New Battle Begins on a Distant Planet
Visualizing war and crises in the modern world murat palta’s perspective
Visualizing War and Crises in the Modern World: Murat Palta’s Perspective
Aşkım kapışmak's Ölümcül darbelerle marks the beginning of a new era in the music world
Aşkım Kapışmak’s “Ölümcül Darbelerle” Marks the Beginning of a New Era in the Music World
Manavgat's crete culture and flavour festival a meeting point of history, music, and flavour
Manavgat’s Crete Culture and Flavour Festival: A Meeting Point of History, Music, and Flavour
Support to the industry from elmas kule, the main sponsor of the istanbul jewelry show
Support to the Industry from Elmas Kule, the Main Sponsor of the Istanbul Jewelry Show
Art and social responsibility meet in ankara – talking letters exhibition at the mustafa ayaz museum
Art and Social Responsibility Meet in Ankara – “Talking Letters” Exhibition at the Mustafa Ayaz Museum
Türkiye News Portal Logo
Turhapo Logo
Türkiye Haber Portalı Logo