TRACING ACCULTURATIONS
LUX ART INSTITUTE
Encinitas 
2020

OKU/READ is an installation of evocative new work by Turkish-American mixed media artist Beliz Iristay (born1979)She created OKU/READ in response to her award of the Solo Exhibition Prize from BIENNAL 2015 CIUDAD JUAREZ-EL PASO.Iristay received this singular honor from among forty-four Mexican and American artists selected by jury to appear in the border Biennal. OKU/READ develops Iristay’s exploration of the religious and social traditions and contemporary techniques. Meanin ‘read’ in Turkish oku is the first word and commandment of the Quran,the holy book of Islam. For OKU?READ Iristay,transformed the RAhle,a bookrest traditionally made from wood and used to support the open Quran.

OKU/READ is an installation of evocative new work by Turkish-American mixed media artist Beliz Iristay (born1979)She created OKU/READ in response to her award of the Solo Exhibition Prize from BIENNAL 2015 CIUDAD JUAREZ-EL PASO.Iristay received this singular honor from among forty-four Mexican and American artists selected by jury to appear in the border Biennal. OKU/READ develops Iristay’s exploration of the religious and social traditions and contemporary techniques. Meanin ‘read’ in Turkish oku is the first word and commandment of the Quran,the holy book of Islam. For OKU?READ Iristay,transformed the RAhle,a bookrest traditionally made from wood and used to support the open Quran.