The effects of the feminist movement on women artists in post-1990 Turkey

The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of the feminist movement on female artists in Turkey after 1990. After 1990, significant changes occurred in the field of art in Turkey parallel to global economic, social and cultural transformations. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 fueled the desire for democratization in our country; freedom, free trade and social rights became more visible after the Cold War. The military coup in the 1980s opened deep wounds in the political climate, but this effect began to decrease over time with the civilian administration in 1983. The emergence of new political parties created a more competitive political environment in the early 1990s and, combined with the increasing demands for freedom in society, led to significant changes in cultural and artistic fields. During this period, women artists in particular gained more opportunities for freedom of expression. New media and conceptual art approaches allowed the questioning of gender roles and the place of women in society in the works of women artists. This situation gained an important dimension in terms of feminist theory and gender studies. In addition, the international recognition of Turkish artists and the place of their works in the global art scene help us understand how artists in Turkey are positioned globally. This study evaluates the effects of social and cultural changes in Turkey after 1990 through multiple channels, such as the historical background of the feminist movement, the impact of women artists on the variety of media and materials in their production, their interaction with civil society organizations, their integration into the global art scene with globalization, and their tendency towards universal themes. As a result, it has been determined that various objects and artistic expressions were incorporated into art in terms of material use during this period. Performance art, use of space, use of photography and video are at the forefront of these objects. Keywords: 1990s, Feminism, Art, Women Artists.