‘Oya’ is an ongoing artistic research project initiated by Montag Residency in Gönen, Balıkesir, Türkiye. The project explores the traditional practice of oya (needle lace) as a point of departure for thinking about women’s knowledge, cultural heritage, collective memory and contemporary artistic production.
Through encounters, conversations and shared research, the project seeks to create connections between local craft traditions and contemporary art practices. We are deepening our research into Gönen, Balıkesir—a place in Türkiye renowned for its iğne oyası (needle lace)—where women transform their labor into a form of cultural heritage, using symbolic expressions to tell stories and turning this craft into an economic activity.
A gathering over coffee marked an important moment in the development of the project, bringing people together to exchange ideas and open up new possibilities for collaboration. Artists Vivien Tauchmann and Gizem Yücelen are continuing to develop the research, exploring its themes, methods and potential artistic directions.
While Vivien transforms invisible labor into participatory workshops and performances through her performance practices, Gizem explores how cultural heritage can be passed on to future generations through design interventions.
Rather than approaching oya solely as a traditional craft, the project considers it a living practice shaped by the people who create, share and transmit it. The research remains open-ended, allowing new relationships, perspectives and forms of artistic expression to emerge through the ongoing process.
Around Oya continues to evolve through the artists’ research and their engagement with the local context of Gönen. With the support and valuable contributions of the local municipality, women’s groups in the region—such as “Gönen Kadın Eli”—and local benefactor Emine Kalıpçıoğlu, the scope for alternative research has expanded.
