Zafer Urun

ZAFER URUN * 15.07.1999 in Schrobenhausen, Germany.

As part of my studies at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich, which I began under special aptitude with Markus Oehlen, I also studied industrial design at the University of Applied Science in Munich and at the Städelschule in Frankfurt with Tobias Rehberger. Just recently, I spent my Fulbright semester in the MFA Fine Arts program at California State University Long Beach in Los Angeles, followed by a Teaching Assistantship for Katie Grinnan. My diploma "Been Surfing My Whole Life" in 2026 was completed under the mentorship of Schirin Kretschman in Munich.

ZAFERURUN.STUDIO@GMAIL.COM

Education

2019 – 2026

Academy of Fine Arts Munich, Fine Arts/ Painting & Sculpture

2024 – 2025

California State University Long Beach

2023 – 2024

HfBK Städelschule Frankfurt, Fine Arts/ Sculpture

2021 – 2023

University of Applied Sciences, Industrial Design

2018

Fachabitur Gestaltungszweig, Fachoberschule Augsburg

Scholarships

2024

Liebelt Stiftung Stipendium, Hamburg

2024

Oskar Karl Forster Stipendium, Munich

2023

Fulbright Germany, Post Graduate Grant

2021 – 2023

Atelierstipendium Bahnwärterthiel, Kulturstätten Munich

Exhibitions

2026

Been Surfing My Whole Life, Thesis Show

Kolosssaal Academy of Fine Arts, Munich

2025

Annual Exhibition

Academy of Fine Arts Munich

Time To Say Goodbye

CSULB, LA

Parallel Space

Ice House Long Beach, LA

Work Donation GLAMFA

CSULB, LA

2024

G.C.W.

Marilyn Werby Gallery, LA

Float With Me

Academy of Fine Arts, Munich

Infiltrators

Venice Biennale-Urbana Collective, Italy

Rundgang

Städelschule, Frankfurt

2023

Groupshow „Offshore“

Haus der Kunst, Munich

Three Of A Perfect Pair

Academy of Fine Arts, Munich

Soloshow „7- Eleven“

AkademieGalerie, Munich

Three Of A Perfect Pair

Academy of Fine Arts, Munich

Groupshow

Kunstarkaden, Munich

Politics of Display

Vitsœ, Munich

2022

House of Oehlen

Academy of Fine Arts, Munich

Minds Are Magnets

Canal Street R.A. New York

BAODT

Offspace, Frankfurt

Max33 = Divers

MINI Pavillion, Munich

2021

Klasse Oehlen

Galerie Braun Falco, Munich

Klasse Oehlen

Kultusministerium, Munich

2020

Plattform 11 Pop Up

Outletcity, Metzingen

Art Again!

Lazyland, Munich

Statement

Since I started my study at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich under the auspices of Markus Oehlen, my artistic interests have shifted from two-dimensional to three-dimensional expressions.

This led me to temporarily study Industrial Design on top of my Fine Arts study, as a way to broaden my artistic practice and works. But also because I was captivated by the interplay of these conflicting approaches. This prompted me to join Tobias Rehberger‘s class at Städelschule Frankfurt as a guest student, seeking the ideal input to push the boundaries of design and art. Despite the shared characteristics such as fine arts and industrial design seem to have, this conflict resonates with me personally. As I have both, Turkish and Kurdish roots – which is already quite controversial. I further strongly identify with my German origin, influenced by my grandparents who remained in Germany following the guest worker influx in the 1980s. This already provides a very unique perspective, which contributes to my profession.

Therefore my artistic goal is, to adress more people than just the average art community and represent my culture by building bridges inbetween those communities.
People who appreciate fashion, music or simply enjoy dining out are equally welcome as my target audience. I aim for them to connect with the artwork on a deeper level, rather than just give them the feeling of something decorational through my works. My artistic process is shaped by interdisciplinary, exploration and freedom, within painting and sculpture. Currently I‘m attracted to creating sculptures from various used and deconstructed sneakers, including elements of streetwear culture. Fashion plays a significant role in my workflow, whether it serves as inspiration within the work or determines the work itself. Additionally, I challenge traditional painting by experimenting with innovative techniques, such as merging digital prints with traditional brushwork and paint or wax on canvas.

Opacity is a key element in my works, achieved through the use of various materials. Whether it‘s henna on canvas, emphasizing my roots, or wax to visualize the ephemerality of time, I explore the imitation of traditional paintings through transparent acrylic paint on canvas to create thicker layers. My research primarily revolves around everyday life and its inspiration. Final ideas emerge decisively by embracing the given aesthetics and potential of the subject matter, rather than imposing a thought or visualization at the outset. I explore the current cultural climate in all my artworks, whether it serves as inspiration for the final piece or directly shapes the work itself. Therefore, I integrate everyday products like ads, logos or products with artistic expressions/ qualities in my profession.

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