Skip to main content

Köken Ergun

Köken Ergun studied acting at the İstanbul University and after completing his postgraduate diploma degree in Ancient Greek Literature, began working with American theater director Robert Wilson. His evocative work focuses on ritual, exploring Turkish nationalism through religious, military, and cultural traditions. Ergun frequently collaborates with ethnologists, often extending his artistic practice into academia.


Ergun has exhibited internationally at institutions including Platform, Istanbul, Palais de Tokyo, Paris (2012), Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam (2007), KIASMA Museum of Contemporary Arts, Helsinki (2003), Digital ArtLab, Tel Aviv, Casino Luxembourg, Heidelberger Kunstverein, SALT, Ankara, Protocinema, New York (2013), and Kunsthalle Winterthur. He is the recipient of the "Tiger Award for Short Film" at the 2007 Rotterdam Film Festival and the "Special Mention Prize" at the 2013 Berlinale. He is currently writing his PhD thesis at the Interart Graduate College of the Freie Universität on the subject of "Rituals of Isolation: Emotional Bonding in Wedding Ceremonies of the Turkish/Kurdish Community in Berlin."

Born 1976
Hometown Istanbul, Turkey
Lives and Works Berlin, Germany
Education
PhD Candidate, Interart Graduate College of the Freie Universität, Berlin
MA, Art History, Bilgi University, Istanbul
Postgraduate Diploma, Ancient Greek Literature at King's College London
İstanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
Permanent Collection

Centre Pompidou, Paris

Greek National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens

Kadist Foundation, Paris

Articles

10 Artists to Watch This February
10 Artists to Watch This February

From a MacArthur "genius" unmasking the world's shadow government to a fiery painter of uncensored shock art, here are the names you'll need to know this month.

Mari Spirito on the Turkish Art Scene's Obstacles
Mari Spirito on the Turkish Art Scene's Obstacles

On the eve of the Istanbul Biennial, Andrew M. Goldstein spoke to the unstoppable curator about her plan to inject energy into the city's artistic landscape.

View More