Women artists in post-1980 Turkish plastic arts in the context of feminist criticism

This study, which is based on the evaluation and interpretation of the works produced by selected women artist in contemporary Turkish art after 1980 through the lens of feminist criticism, consists of Introduction, Conceptual Framework, Women Artists in the Art Environment in Turkey and Art History Canon, Women Artists in Post-1980 Turkish Plastic Arts in the Context of Feminist Criticism and Conclusion. In the Introduction chapter, the significance of the topic in terms of art and art historical literature is discussed, along with the scope and limitations of the study. It also reviews key previous publications and research relevant to the topic, particularly those concerning women artists, and outlines the methods used during the research and writing phases. In the Conceptual Framework chapter, comprehensive information is given about modern and contemporary art in the West and Turkey, women artists in Turkish art until 1980 (the starting point of the thesis), the emergence of feminist art, women's movements in the Ottoman Empire and Turkey (which are directly related to the works of the artists), and the method of feminist criticism. In the section titled Women Artists in the Art Environment and Art History Canon in Turkey, the status of artist women in the art environment and in art and art history writing from 1980 to the present day is discussed. In this context, elements such as the studies on women artists, the proportion of artists in collective and group exhibitions, and women artists' initiatives were evaluated, supported by quantitative data. The chapter titled Women Artists in Post-1980 Turkish Plastic Arts in the Context of Feminist Criticism is where works created by artist women since the 1980s are interpreted. In this section, the works of the artists are evaluated under subheadings focusing on the transition of women from object to subject in works of art, the discussion of the identity of woman-femininity, their attitudes towards gender stereotypes, and their attitudes towards social problems. In the final chapter, the Conclusion, an evaluation of the discourses, contributions and active positions of the women artists on contemporary art, the women's movement and the art scene has been made by inductive method through the analysis and interpretation of the works in the main sections.