Melike Melenâ was born in Istanbul in 2000. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Graphic Arts at Anadolu University's Faculty of Fine Arts. In 2020, she founded the brand "Who," a collection of wearable artworks, and produced sustainable clothing products from her artwork. In 2022, she assisted Mehmet Sinan Kuran in the "Nowhere" exhibition at Anna Laudel. She coordinated and led summer children's art workshops at Art Istanbul Feshane. The artist, who directs the children's art unit of the Hayal Gücü Merkezi Association, organizes workshops for women and children in the field of alternative art education. She continues her work in Istanbul and Eskişehir, conducting workshops both in institutional and personal settings.
This work presents a conceptual approach that redefines the relationship between frame and content. The frame, adorned with botanical motifs, assumes a protective role, while the bud figure at the center symbolizes the resilience of life. The thorns are treated as a natural defense mechanism rather than a threat. The work reflects the poetic relationship between the inevitable pain of growing up and the delicate balance of protection. This composition, which questions the traditional understanding of frames, proposes a new reading of the restrictive and protective functions of borders.
Thorns; Airclay, epoxy, and acrylic 43x29
