Portfolio > Elements of Istanbul

Gabrielle Reeves: Simit Vendor: Air
Oil on Canvas
40" x 32"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: "Quince Vendor: Earth / Ayvacı: Toprak"
Oil on Canvas
40" x 32"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Water Vendor: Water
Oil on Canvas
40" x 32"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Cotton Candy Vendor: Aether
Acrylic Ink on Marbled Paper
40" x 32"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Flower Vendor: Earth
Acrylic Ink on Marbled Paper
12" x 6"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Quince Vendor: Earth
Acrylic Ink on Paper
7" x 5"
2018
Gabrielle Reeves: Simit Vendor 2: Air
Acrylic Ink on Paper
5" x 7"
2016
Gabrielle Reeves: Borek Vendor: Fire
Acrylic Ink on Paper
5" x 7"
2018
Gabrielle Reeves: Cotton Candy Vendor: Aether
Acrylic Ink on Paper
5" x 7"
2016
Gabrielle Reeves: Door Knocker 1: Earth
Oil on Panel
11" x 7.5"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Door Knocker 2: Earth
Oil on Panel
11" x 7.5"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Fountain 1: Water
Acrylic Ink on Marbled Paper
12" x 18"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Fountain 2: Water
Acrylic Ink on Marbled Paper
13" x 16"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Fountain 3: Water
Acrylic Ink on Marbled Paper
13" x 17"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Laundry: Air
Acrylic Ink on Marbled Paperl
10" x 11"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Double: Fire
Acrylic Ink on Marbled Paper
12" x 13"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Bread Basket 2: Air
Acrylic Ink on Found Paper
10" x 6"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Bread Basket: Air
Graphite on Paper
40" x 32"
2019
Gabrielle Reeves: Shoes: Earth
Graphite on Paper
32" x 40"
2017

Elements of Istanbul is a series of drawings and paintings portraying scenes quintessential to traditional life in Istanbul, and linking them within the theme of the elements: earth, air, water, fire and aether. It is suggested that all of creation, including the human body, is made up of these five essential elements. All together or one at a time, each element performs vital tasks in nature and in our own very bodies and minds, thereby balancing the cycle of the natural world.
The vignettes, objects and people depicted in this series are reminders of the past and defenders of the modern day struggle to keep human connection and tradition alive in an ever expanding city. Each piece, working as the elements do, to perform vital tasks that maintain balance within constant change. They also represent my time in Istanbul as a foreigner. As a resident, yet still an outside observer of the city, I find myself transfixed with small experiences as well as the pure esthetic beauty of everyday life.
Laundry strung across narrow streets, conversations over tea and coffee, swaying baskets full of groceries that have been lowered from high apartment windows, street vendors selling their wares; to me, these moments reflect the soul of Istanbul and its inhabitants’ response to their environment. In this series, I attempt to take these scenes out of their everyday context, allowing the viewer to connect with their personal experiences or memories while at the same time considering how every particle is also connection to the whole.
Elements of Istanbul was born out of my love for observation, tradition and memory. This body of work explores practical solutions in a giant city, beauty in simplicity and my pure fascination with Turkish culture.