Born in Istanbul, Semra Özümerzifon graduated from Robert College in 1970. Moving to Switzerland, she attended the courses of Pascal Saini and Axel Ernst at Geneva Academy of Fine-Arts studying painting and drawing (1981-1984). She had individual expositions in Turkey and in several European cities, and participated in International Art Fairs. She received awards at international art competitions in France and Italy, and was attributed the titles of “Associate Academician” and “Academic Knight” by International Academy Greci-Marino and Academy of Verbano.
After having worked on oil painting for many years, and following her return to Turkey in 2007, she started experimenting in different disciplines and mixed media, using mainly discarded fishing nets in their original colors. Her project, “Network From Rumelikavagı to Anatolia” was exhibited in many Anatolian cities. In 2014, following the destruction of olive groves in a small Aegean town in order to make room for a thermoelectric plant, she started creating metal sculptures and drawings on the theme of ancient olive trees. She also provided illustrations for a book 'Muhur Gozlum' inspired by this event .
Selected Individual Exhibitions
2016-2017 Gallery Rooms Istanbul
2013 CERModern, Ankara/ State Fine Arts Gallery Konya-ETO Gallery, Eskisehir-
2010/2011 ArtClub, Istanbul
2006/2008 State Fine Art Gallery, Konya
2007 Museum of Modern Art Gallery, Rhodes, Greece
2002/2006 Center of Anatolian Culture in Paris, France
2004 Gallery Giovanetti, Lausanne, Switzerland
2000 Gallery Quatuor Plus Un, Geneva, Switzerland
1997/1996/1995 Cumalı Art Gallery, Istanbul
1993/1991 Loanne Art Gallery, Geneva,Switzerland
1989 Yapi Kredi Bank Gallery, Dusseldorf, Germany
1985 Gallery Motte, Geneva
1983 Gallery Kile, Istanbul
Selected Mixed Exhibitions and International Art Fairs
2019-2020 Istanbul Concept 'Love Fest' Art Fair
2018 Istanbul Concept Gallery Istanbul
2018 Wild Shaman Art Gallery, Portland Oregon USA with Armaggan Gallery
2016 Elgiz Museum Istanbul – Terrace Exhibitions
2015 Istanbul Breeze Bene Rialto Gallery (Armaggan Gallery), New York, USA
2014 Fall Fefstival at Zorlu Center PSM (Armaggan), Istanbul, Turkey
2013 “Istanbul Breeze”, Hilton and Asmus Contemporary Gallery, Chicago, USA
2011 Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art- Project Rooms
2005 “The Maxi Exhibition” 3rd Millenium Artists Exhibition, Rome, Italy
2005 International Exhibition organized by Who’s Who in Art, Paris, France
2011 Contemporary Art Biennale, Izmir
2003/2004 International Art Fair, Leopards 2004, St. Tropez, France
2004 Kunstevent, Haarlem, Holland
2001/2002 Independent Artists’ Fair (Salon des Independents), Paris, France
2002/2003 Europ’Art Geneva, Switzerland
1997/2002 Tüyap International Art Fair, Istanbul
1995 Art Jonction, Cannes, France
Awards
2005 International Art Competition organized by Academy of Santarita
Torino/Italy - Award of the Jury (Hommage to the Victims of Tsunami)
2004 International Art Competition, organized by Academy of Santarita
Torino/Italy - European Award (Dance of the Dervishes)
2003 40th International Art Fair Leopards 2003, organized by National Federation of French Culture, European Group, Roquebrune s/Argens, France - Award of the Ramatuelle Municipality (The Light)
2003 International Art Fair, organized by National Federation of French Culture,
European Group, Versailles, France - Honor Award (Whirling Dervishes)