UNCENSORABLE (SERIES)

Uncensorable is a provocative mosaic panel series that can be seen as an amusing reversal of oppression. By employing ceramic tiles—a timeless material and staple of Islamic art—the series challenges cultural constraints and confronts censorship in all its forms. It began as a response to state-enforced restrictions in Middle Eastern countries and has since expanded to explore broader suppressions of expression—whether imposed by government, religion, society, or internalized through self-censorship.

The mosaicing technique is used to “censor” the very things society tries to hide—such as two individuals sharing an intimate kiss or even a politically charged poem—thereby confronting societal and gender norms, as well as the censorship of literature, dissenting voices, and expressions of identity. These works celebrate the resilience of personal freedom and the enduring strength of human connection.

Each piece flirts with the act of concealment, using playfulness as a strategy to bring visibility to desire, freedom of love, freedom of speech, and the freedom of being.

UNCENSORABLE, RAINBOW

Uncensorable, Rainbow (2020) began the later ceramic Uncensorable series as a paper-based artwork responding to government attempts to censor rainbow imagery in Turkey. In a powerful act of irony, Esra Gülmen “censored” the rainbow—an enduring symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and freedom—to highlight both its beauty and the threat it posed to oppressive forces. Despite this censorship, the rainbow’s colors remained visible, reinforcing its power and symbolism.

This first work sparked a communal response, with viewers instinctively engaging by self-censoring in front of the artwork, fostering solidarity and shared sentiment. What began as a provocation evolved into a collective reflection on visibility, identity, and expression.

Uncensorable, 2020
Fine Art print on 200gr. Hahnemühle paper, mounted on aluminum (Framed)
80 x 62.5 cm
Edition of 20 + 1 AP