FEEL IT STILL Painting

Pınar Birim (1978, İstanbul) grew up in the İstanbul skateboard scene, spending time singing in a punk band called “Headache”. Whilst studying in the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University she experimented with print techniques and silk screen creating designs for Headache’s posters and artwork. After completing her BA in Communication Design and Arts, Pınar moved to London where she attended an MA in Interactive Digital Media Art at Ravensbourne College. In the 6 years Pınar lived in London they worked as a freelance designer, collaborating with artists and participating in various exhibitions. Returning to Istanbul, Pinar worked as an art director for agencies and with local and international clients. At the age of 29 Pınar received the Young Designer of the year award from GMK. Teaching has run in parallel with their practice for the last 4 years. Pınar has taught workshops in Fine Arts with high school students collaborating with the NGO Baykuşhane and traveling from east to west of the country with the pupils. She has also taught on the “Branding and Advertising” courses in the BA Architecture and Design Department of UBT University in Pristina, Kosovo. Pınar moved from their home studio to a new space in the heart of İstanbul in Galata in 2022. She began to host workshops for their community, sharing the space decorated with their artworks. She demonstrates her own methods of using the flow of creation and to help break down the fears people may towards new materials and expressing imagination. Pınar’s art reflects her attitude towards the vibrant country she was born into with all it’s conflicts and chaos. Her use of materials and approach to canvas were largely shaped by their skating years – improvisatory, wild and chaotic, but with a distinct feel of youthful playfulness. Pinar is a mother of two wonderful girls, Tuna and Ekin.