Reading contemporary artworks in the context of the concept of subalternity

The aim of this thesis is to examine contemporary artworks, exhibitions, and practices through the lens of subalternity, using specific examples. The term 'subaltern' refers to individuals and communities whose agency is restricted by hegemony, who are rendered voiceless, or whose voices struggle to be heard even when they speak. In this sense, the position of the subaltern cannot be determined solely through a class-based perspective; it also emerges as a condition shaped by various criteria such as age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, geography, religious affiliation, and physical disability. In the first part of this study, the historical development of the concept of the 'subaltern' is explored, tracing its roots in Gramsci's theoretical framework and the subsequent contributions of the Subaltern Studies Collective. Spivak's text Can the Subaltern Speak? and critiques of the collective are also evaluated. This section concludes by expanding the discussion on subalternity in connection with postcolonial and decolonial theories. The second part analyzes representations of subalternity in contemporary art practices post-2000. Through artworks, projects, and exhibitions produced in diverse geographies and contexts, the artistic reflections of subalternity are examined comparatively.