BIO
From a linage scattered through various towns and islands of the Mediterranean,
Ayda Bihter Pekin Gur was raised in the Aegean coast of Izmir. Coming from
globe trotter parents, Ayda was always interested in different cultures which led
her to study Spanish Literature in university. In search of various disciplines to
express herself, Ayda then went on to study fine arts where she developed an
interest in jewelry design. In pursuit of her new found passion, she studied
jewelry design in Le Arti Orafe in Florence and produced some of Turkey’s
freshest designs under her brand Aida Pekin since 2000, winning various awards
of design competitions and projects including De Beers, Swarovski, Maison
Mode Mediterranee, World Gold Council, Ganjam, and her designs were chosen
for several museum stores including MoMa New York, Istanbul Modern Museum.
Culminating all walks of her life, Ayda restarted painting after she moved to
Barcelona in 2016 where she still lives with her husband and two kids.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Ayda is interested in exploring the realm of imagination, dreams and storytelling
that goes beyond our actual memories. She aims to take a screenshot of
emotions and visions that each of us add to our memories, past experiences and
family stories. Ayda is inspired by these moments in time that could have been
but never were, if not for our imagination.