ESRA SAKIR

The artist residency in Sicily, facilitated by the municipality, formed the foundation of Esra Sakir’s subsequent exhibition. The residency provided the time, space, and institutional support necessary to deepen her material research and engage directly with the local landscape, soil, and historical context. Working closely with place, both materially and conceptually, allowed the residency period to function as an intensive phase of investigation, experimentation, and production.

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The body of work developed during this residency was later presented in an exhibition that translated the research into sculptural form. The exhibition articulated the relationship between land, memory, and ancestral symbolism, with Sicily serving not only as a geographical site but as a conceptual framework. The works reflected the layered histories of the island and its position as a crossroads of cultures, aligning closely with the residency’s original research focus.

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Following its opening, the exhibition received strong public engagement and institutional interest. As a result of this reception, the exhibition was extended beyond its initial run and will remain on view through the summer of 2026. This extension reflects both the relevance of the research developed during the residency and the continued resonance of the work with audiences and the hosting institution.