Gökhan Gökseven’s second solo exhibition at x-ist, “Choose Your Own Adventure”, presents a narrative world that invites the audience to create alternative stories layered with diverse dimensions. The exhibition draws inspiration from the book series created by Edward Packard in the 1980s, known in Turkey as “Macera Tüneli” (Adventure Tunnel), where readers shape the flow and outcome of events through their own choices.
In Gökseven’s works, the enchantment of retro cartoon aesthetics merges with the nostalgic allure of 80s toy figures and the intricate world of 19th-century Scandinavian folk illustrators. Influences from German Romanticism and names like Theodor Kittelsen and John Bauer are evident in his art, taking the audience on a time-travel journey that blends the visual memory of the past with psychological inquiries of the present.
While his previous exhibition centered around the theme of fear, this time Gökseven focuses on the concept of adventure. Drawing parallels between fear and the sense of the unknown, he encourages viewers to craft their own narratives. Feeding on childhood memories, the works delve into universal themes such as nostalgia, time, loss, and death, enriched with psychological layers.
Gökhan Gökseven’s exhibition, “Choose Your Own Adventure”, will be on view at x-ist Gümüşsuyu from January 30 to March 1, inviting art enthusiasts to explore its unique storytelling universe.