Sinem Banna

In 1989, Sinem Banna received her BFA in Ceramics and Glass at Mimar Sinan University{{Cite web|url=https://alumnius.net/mimar_sinan_universi-7385-year-1970-2013|title=Alumni US {{!}} Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts (1970-2013)|website=alumnius.net|language=en|access-date=2018-01-20}} in Istanbul, Turkey.{{Cite web|url=http://www.peninsulaartinstitute.org/artists/sinem-banna#.WlN5zVSpmL8|title=Banna, Sinem; San Francisco Artist|website=www.peninsulaartinstitute.org|language=en|access-date=2018-01-13}} She continued her training in France—first at the Villa Arson in Nice, and then at Sorbonne University in Paris. Banna then moved to the United States where she received her MFA in sculpture at the San Francisco Art Institute in California in 1994. In 1997, Banna was granted US citizenship through the First Preference EB-1 Visa for Extraordinary Ability in the arts— with the USCIS sourcing a Pulitzer, Oscar, and Olympic Medal, under examples of eligibility criteria.

Sinem Banna had her first solo exhibition in 1995 in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey. Since then, she has shown her work throughout Europe and the United States. Exhibitions include those in the US cities of San Francisco, New York, New Mexico, and Los Angeles.

File:Shadows at Noon.gif

Internationally, Banna's exhibitions include the European cities of Istanbul, Nice, Copenhagen, Elsinore, and the 2004 Athens Olympics where Banna was selected as a cultural ambassador of art for the United States and Turkey.{{Cite web|url=http://arsiv.sabah.com.tr/2004/09/07/gny/gny104-20040907-200.html|title=SABAH - 07/09/2004 - Sanat Olimpiyatı'na Türk imzasını attı|website=arsiv.sabah.com.tr|access-date=2018-01-13}}{{Cite news|url=https://kunstaspekte.art/event/artiade-athen-olympiade-der-bildenden-kunst-2004-08|title=ARTiade Athen - Olympiade der Bildenden Kunst 2004|work=kunstaspekte.de|access-date=2018-01-13|language=de}} Upon this, Banna showed her work "Shadows at Noon" {{Cite web|url=https://rolandfuhrmann.de/news/artiade-olympiade-der-bildenden-kunst-athen/|title=Roland Fuhrmann » ARTIADE – Olympiade der bildenden Kunst, Athen|website=rolandfuhrmann.de|language=de-DE|access-date=2018-01-13}} at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and received a grant under The Artiade "Olympics of Visual Art".{{Cite news|url=https://artiade.wordpress.com/what-is-artiade-olympic-games-of-art/|title=Intro|date=2007-07-12|work=ARTIADE - Olympics of Art|access-date=2018-01-13|language=en-US}}{{Citation|last=Renate Westhoff|title=ARTIADE 2004 - Olympics of Visual Art - Part 06|date=2007-07-14|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoHJmgpQC8M|access-date=2018-01-13}}, minute 03.34

Sinem Banna has been reported by US and international media--{{Cite news|url=http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/|title=Shadow at Noon (öğlende gölge)|last=CUM /1543 C.1|work=Cumhuriyet}}{{Cite web|url=http://eugeneweekly.com/2005/03/03/galleries|title=Eugene Weekly : On Sinem Banna|website=eugeneweekly.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121071313/http://eugeneweekly.com/2005/03/03/galleries|archive-date=2018-01-21|url-status=dead|access-date=2018-01-20}} including the New York Times, CNN Turkey, the San Francisco Examiner, SF Weekly, and newspaper distributors in Europe including Cumhuriyet, Milliyet, and Sabah.{{Cite web|url=http://www.peninsulaartinstitute.org/artists/sinem-banna#.WlN5zVSpmL8|title=Sinem Banna {{!}} Peninsula Art Institute|website=www.peninsulaartinstitute.org|language=en|access-date=2018-01-13}} In addition to printed publications, Banna's lectures, talks, and interviews have appeared on news channels and public radio stations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/?s=sinem+banna&orderby=date&order=desc|title=Sinem Banna|date=2006|website=eastbaytimes.com}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/|title="Saydamhane" Sergisi|work=Cumhuriyet EYÜ S/3 C.1}}{{Cite journal|last=Sengul|first=Pinar|date=August 2004|title="Görsel Sanatlar Olimpiyatı"nda ülkemizi heykel dalında temsil edecek olan sanatçı Sinem Banna Eyüboğlu|journal=Sabah|pages=3|via=İstanbul: Sabah Gaz., Günaydın Eki, 6 Ağustos 2004.}}{{Cite web|url=http://eugeneweekly.com/search/node/sinem%20banna|title=Sinem Banna|website=eugeneweekly.com|language=en|access-date=2018-01-20}}

File:Sinem Banna's Almanac Project.gif

Banna was awarded a Grant under the Lef Foundation for her work the "Almanac Project", "San Francisco talks with different voices".{{Cite web|url=http://www.sinembanna.com/public-art?lightbox=image11su|title=sinem-banna|website=sinem-banna|access-date=2018-01-20}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.lef-foundation.org/DefaultPermissions/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx|title=LEF Foundation > Home|last=Foundation|first=LEF|website=www.lef-foundation.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-20}} This outdoor site-specific installation was located in front of the San Francisco Library in Civic Center, San Francisco, California.{{Cite web|url=https://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=2000021201|title=Artists File|website=SFPL|language=en|access-date=2018-01-20}} The work, a metal almanac with a seven-foot tall page, invited viewers and the public to put down their thoughts, in writing, on the artwork—thus constructing one large book of the voices of the San Francisco Community.

Banna was awarded a residency grant from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation{{Cite news|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2009/04/06/damaged-san-mateo-sculpture-needs-funding-for-repairs/|title=Damaged San Mateo sculpture needs funding for repairs|date=2009-04-06|work=East Bay Times|access-date=2018-01-20|language=en-US}} The work, entitled "HEAR ME", is a permanent sculpture located in San Mateo Central Park, and was installed in 2009. The wood and metal bench surrounds a red maple tree and incorporates visual art and text from children in various educational programs in San Mateo County, aimed at children with autism, emotional challenges, and other special needs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityartsofsanmateo.org/art_gallery_of_san_mateo.htm|title=Art Gallery {{!}} City Arts of San Mateo {{!}} A Resource for visual arts, performing arts and literary arts in San Mateo, CA (650) 522-7522|website=www.cityartsofsanmateo.org|access-date=2018-01-20}} The children who helped design the bench included students from the Wings Learning Center for autistic children, and the Edgewood Center for Children and Families, which serves emotionally abused or disturbed children.{{Cite web|url=https://edgewood.org|title=Edgewood Center for Children and Families - Home|website=Edgewood Center for Children and Families|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-20}}{{Cite news|url=http://ncac.org/update/san-mateo-public-art|title=San Mateo Public art|date=2008-06-16|work=National Coalition Against Censorship|access-date=2018-01-20|language=en-US}} Banna also affixed 40 small silver bells to the bottom of the bench, which rang with any light breeze. The sculpture bench is five feet in diameter, and contains a circular seat consisting of 29 panels radiating outward; on which are imprinted children's words, phrases, and drawings. A smaller upper metal ring is placed four and a half feet high, hanging from which are the silver bells.{{Cite web |title=The Wayback Machine has not archived that URL. |url=http://www.sanmateotownhall.org/!}} {{dead link|date=January 2018}}

In conjunction with several different schools in the San Mateo Community and SMFC in California, Banna created several murals and site specific installations.

Of these include the following:{{Cite web|url=http://borel.smfcsd.net/support-borel/miranda-m-bosley-arts-and-music-fund.html|title=Borel Middle School - Miranda M. Bosley Arts and Music Fund|website=borel.smfcsd.net|language=en|access-date=2018-01-20}}{{Cite web|url=http://artismoving.org/opening-doors-through-art-the-artcart-at-horrall-elementary-school/#sthash.RKzZZZn1.dpbs|title=Opening Doors Through Art -The ARTcart at Horrall Elementary School – Art is Moving|website=artismoving.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-20}}{{Cite web|url=https://librarycatalog.bilkent.edu.tr/client/tr_TR/default/search/results?qu=sinem+banna&te=|title=Search Results for sinem banna|website=librarycatalog.bilkent.edu.tr|language=tr|access-date=2018-01-20}}{{Cite web|url=http://arsiv.sabah.com.tr/2004/08/06/gny/gny102-20040806-200.html|title=SABAH Newspaper - Sinem Banna Eyüboğlu kimdir?|website=arsiv.sabah.com.tr|access-date=2018-01-20}}{{Cite journal|url=http://www.smfcsd.net/assets/files/documents/news-archive/horrall-art-exhibition.pdf|title=San Mateo Foster City School District Announces 2011 Art Exhibition}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/local/students-recreate-masterpieces-on-doors/article_a2c0490b-4188-5924-bc78-af61da945591.html|title=Students recreate masterpieces on doors|last=Staff|first=Heather Murtagh Daily Journal|work=San Mateo Daily Journal|access-date=2018-01-20|language=en}}

• "Always Hope"; site specific mural at the entrance of the dance studio at the Horrall School in San Mateo.
• "Opening Doors"; outdoor site specific community project consisting of works throughout art history recreated on 24 vintage doors by children, grades K-5, under the supervision and direction of artist in residence Sinem Banna. Located at the courtyard of the Horrall School, San Mateo.
• "Say Hi"; site specific mural located at Horrall School, San Mateo under the educational and interactive project.
• "Peace and Love"; collaborative site specific mural at Baywood Elementary School, San Mateo.
• "Say Hi II"; interactive mural study as community event located in Baywood Elementary School, San Mateo.
• "B.With"; site specific mural, assemblage of mixed media with tiles, located in Borel Middle School, San Mateo. Dedicated to the memory of sixth grade student, Miranda, who died due to leukemia in 2010. Consists of eighty-seven 4x4 tiles with the Class of 2012 8th graders each making their own tile, in addition to eighty to a hundred 4x4 tiles of Miranda's own art work, digitally imposed on the tile. Three five-foot penguins patterned after the penguins above Miranda's bed after her Make a Wish Foundation, Room Make Over. The dedication by Tammie Bosley, mother of Miranda, said "I keep reminding myself to take deep breathes; it is simply beautiful in so many ways. Every time I visit it, I find something new. It certainly has a life of its own,". Installation June 2012; Dedication August 2012.

Banna was invited by the San Mateo Downtown Association for project "Meter Garden",{{Cite web|url=http://www.hanasaurusrex.com/2013/10/hanasaurusrex-meter-monster-sighting.html|title=Hanasaurusrex Meter Monster Sighting // San Mateo Meter Garden|website=www.hanasaurusrex.com|access-date=2018-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121071442/http://www.hanasaurusrex.com/2013/10/hanasaurusrex-meter-monster-sighting.html|archive-date=2018-01-21|url-status=dead}} consisting of parking meters for public art.{{Cite news|url=https://patch.com/california/sanmateo/san-mateo-creating-parking-meters-for-public-art|title=San Mateo Creating Parking Meters For Public Art|date=2013-08-01|work=San Mateo, CA Patch|access-date=2018-01-20|language=en-US}}

The project stations seven painted, decommissioned parking meters in the heart of downtown. The San Mateo Department of Public Works facilitated the project as well as its public display on East Third Avenue in San Mateo, California.

In 2005, Banna accepted a seat on the Board of Directors of the San Mateo City Arts Committee.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityartsofsanmateo.org/art_gallery_of_san_mateo.htm|title=Art Gallery {{!}} City Arts of San Mateo {{!}} A Resource for visual arts, performing arts and literary arts in San Mateo, CA (650) 522-7522|website=www.cityartsofsanmateo.org|access-date=2018-01-13}} In this same year she began work as curator{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/17/nyregion/art-reviews-human-stories-revealed-through-collage.html|title=ART REVIEWS; Human Stories Revealed Through Collage|last=Harrison|first=Helen A.|date=2000-12-17|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-01-13|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} of solo and group exhibitions throughout the US.{{Cite news|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2008/03/04/oil-paintings-by-peter-hamilton-featured-at-twin-pines-art-center/|title=Oil paintings by Peter Hamilton featured at Twin Pines Art Center|date=2008-03-04|work=East Bay Times|access-date=2018-01-13|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2014/04/11/bonny-zanardi-whats-happening-in-the-arts-community/|title=Bonny Zanardi: What's happening in the arts community|date=2014-04-11|work=East Bay Times|access-date=2018-01-13|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2006/11/16/large-scale-look-at-mendocino-coast-in-trubow-exhibit/|title=Large-scale look at Mendocino coast in Trubow exhibit|date=2006-11-16|work=East Bay Times|access-date=2018-01-13|language=en-US}} Banna has worked as a lecturer as well as an educator for over 10 years at several different universities and educational institutions. Banna held several juror positions, and founded ‘Art Box' in 2006.{{Cite journal|last=Elkatip|first=Demet|date=June 1997|title=Sinem Banna Eyüboğlu: beynin özünden yansıyanlar|url=http://www.milliyetsanat.com/|journal=Milliyet Sanat|volume=MAKALE /11923 C.1|pages=38–39|via=Istanbul: Milliyet Sanat #411}}{{Cite journal|date=January 1995|title=Taksim Sanat Galerisi'nde Sinem Banna sergisi|journal=Istanbul: Turkiye de Sanat #17|pages=77|via=Sanat-Aktualite}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.artsmoz.org/personal-pages/b/|title=Arts Directory, World Art Sites - Banna, Sinem|website=www.artsmoz.org|access-date=2018-01-20}}

For over five years, Banna worked as an editor and as the United States representative for Art in Turkey magazine and Milliyet art magazine of Istanbul.{{Cite journal|date=February 1995|title=Plastik Sanatlar Dergisi|journal=Turkiye de Sanat|pages=11, 76–79|via=Yaysat}}

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Category:1968 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century American women artists

Category:20th-century Turkish sculptors

Category:20th-century Turkish women artists

Category:21st-century American women artists

Category:21st-century Turkish sculptors

Category:21st-century Turkish women artists

Category:American conceptual artists

Category:Artists from Istanbul

Category:Artists from the San Francisco Bay Area

Category:Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University alumni

Category:Sculptors from California

Category:Turkish women sculptors

Category:Women conceptual artists

Category:20th-century women sculptors

Category:21st-century women sculptors