Turkish-British artist and painter Belmin Pilevneli has been living and working in London since 2015. After graduating from Sabancı University’s Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design department, she completed her master’s degree in 2016 at the London College of Communication, part of the University of the Arts London.
In her practice, Pilevneli explores themes such as the relationship between nature and humanity, cultural diversity, current events, psychological conflicts, and powerful emotions. She engages with these subjects through an abstract and expressionist approach. Drawing inspiration from Ottoman miniatures and organic forms found in nature, she often interprets the themes with a sense of simplicity and softness. The amorphous shapes she uses in her imaginary, dreamlike compositions offer a visual poetry through fluidity, layering, and texture. Enriched with brushstrokes, transparent surfaces, and gesso, these textures serve as a reminder of humanity’s historical connection with nature.
Combining various techniques such as embossing on paper, fabric, leaf, ink, charcoal,oil and acrylic painting, she also incorporates poetry into her work as an integral part of her interdisciplinary approach.
Since 2016, Pilevneli has been actively participating in international exhibitions, biennials, and art fairs. Her participation includes prestigious events such as the London Art Fair (2024, 2025), Art on Paper New York (2023), Contemporary Istanbul (2018), the 10th Dali International Photography Exhibition (China), the 11th International Printmaking Biennial of Douro (Portugal, 2023), and the Hybrid Art Fair (Madrid, 2023). She has held solo exhibitions in Turkey at Galeri Miz, Galeri Fe, and Casa 22 x Artate Art, and in the UK at Shipton Street Gallery.
Her works are part of esteemed collections including the UBS Art Collection (London), Taviloğlu Collection, Emaar Hospitality Group (Dubai), The Stay (Istanbul), and the Osman Çarmıklı Collection. Since 2024, Pilevneli has been continuing her practice between her studios in London and Istanbul.
Solo Exhibitions
2025 - When the Dust Settles (Ortalik Durulunca) — Galeri Miz, Istanbul, curated by Senem Cagla Bilgin-Keys
2022 - Kibele’nin Gözünden (From Kybele’s Eye) — Galeri Fe, Istanbul
2021 - To Belong — curated by Artate, Casa 22 Store, Bursa
2018 - Ethereal Souls and the Purity — with Annina Roescheisen , Hush Gallery, Istanbul
2018 - Love Me, Love Me, Shipton Street Gallery, London
2017 - Are You In Love? — Galeri Miz, Istanbul
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025 - ‘Bir Düş Olsa’ with Artelen and Koruncuk (Charity), Işık Galeri, Istanbul, Turkey
2024 - Orenda — Marquess Gallery, London, UK
2021 - Art Sunday — PG Art Gallery, for the charity TOG Foundation, Istanbul
2021 - Tomtom Design Week — Buyukdere 35, Istanbul
2020 - The Resilient Self II — with Artists’ Pool, at Espacio Gallery, London
2020 - From Artist to Artist — Büyükdere 35, Istanbul
2019 - Paper. A Selection of Turkish Contemporary Art — Pilevneli Gallery, Istanbul
2019 - Lost In The Highway— 2019, Curated by Ipek Ozbay, Soho House, Istanbul
2019 - From Artist to Artist — Büyükdere 35, Istanbul
2018 - Buluşma IV— Galeri Fe, Istanbul
2018 - Art Sunday — PG Art Gallery, for the charity TOG Foundation, Istanbul
2017 - Lost and Found — House of Illustration & UCLH Arts and Heritage at University College Hospital, London
2017 - UAL Takeover - First Thursdays— Creative Debuts, London
Selected Fairs
2025 - 17. International 360 Love Festival, Istanbul Concept, Turkey
2025 - London Art Fair— Galeri Miz, London, UK
2024 - Art Weeks Istanbul— Artopol, Istanbul, Turkey
2024 - London Art Fair— Galeri Miz, London, UK
2023 - The 4th International Localized Image Festival curated by Alex Wong— Shenyang, China
2023 - 10th Dali International Photography Exhibition Curated by Alex Wong— Dali, China
2023 - Art On Paper NY— New York with Galeri Miz
2023 - 11th International Printmaking Biennial of Douro 2023 curated by Nuno Canelas— Douro, Portugal
2023 - Paper Ink Print Festival— London
2023 - Hybrid Art Fair— Madrid with Nom-Studios
2019 - ‘3 Generations of Pilevneli’ at Art Ankara Contemporary Art Fair — with Galeri Fe, Ankara
2018 - Contemporary Istanbul — with Galeri Miz, Istanbul
2017 - Tribe 17 - International Art Festival — OXO Bargehouse, London
2017 - AH!— Istanbul, Galeri Işık - PG Art Gallery, London
2016 - London Illustration Fair — OXO Bargehouse -with Made in Arts London
2016 - In Transit — artnivo.com - online exhibition
2016 - Mindscapes on Illustration— Sofa Hotel, Hall Arts, Istanbul
2013 - Sparks— FASS Art Gallery,Istanbul
Workshops /
Courses
2024 Painting and Creativity Course Series at Make Space Art Studios, London
2023 Creative Ink Painting workshop in The Shop by Z Curation
2022 Creative workshop: Wreath Making with Recycled Papers— Wimbledon Library, Merton Arts, London
2021 Creative workshop: How to Make Your Own Pattern: Inspired by Ottoman Tiles— with Were Are Here UK, London
2018 Creative workshop: Handmade Books of Abstracted Forms— with Made In Arts London, Canopy Market , London, 2018
2015 Arts Workshop ‘Big Draw’— British Museum with University of the Arts London, London
Selected Collections
2025 EMAAR Square Mall / Address Istanbul
2024 UBS Art Collection - London
2022 Exhibited at Four Seasons Bosphorous, Istanbul
2021 EMAAR Hotels, Address Istanbul
2021 Cobac Workspace, Istanbul
2020 The Stay Art Collection : Bebek Hotel Istanbul & The Stay Alacati
2019 Cultural Selections - Dubai
2019 Taviloglu - Istanbul