Academic Publications

Below are the critical essays and other writings by Isil on art, focusing on the current and emerging forms of marginalisation in contemporary capitalism, inequalities, the reconceptualisation of madness and mental health, resistance, dogma, and the art market.

Isil's research, both interdisciplinary and multicultural, explores how human creativity has transformed in the digital age. They have a deep-seated passion for marginal art (also known as art brut or outsider art)  and digital art, seeing these forms as the polar extremes in the evolution of human creativity. Isil appreciates the political dimensions of art, recognising its ability to introduce new perspectives and forge new realities. In their view, contemporary art serves as a language to weave complex narratives that deepen and change our understanding of social phenomena. Their curatorial efforts, deeply rooted in a philosophical ethos, aim to reveal the diverse aspects of marginalisation in today's era of techno-capitalism, positioning it as a focal point for political resistance and change. Isil has published scholarly and literary works in English, French, Turkish, Japanese, and Spanish.  

Isil, deeply involved in the true social inclusion of marginalised voices, earned their PhD from Nagoya University in Japan, focusing on international cooperation in the arts. Their academic journey also includes a master's degree in visual communication design from l’Université Paris 8 in Paris and a bachelor's degree in philosophy, art, and aesthetics from Galatasaray University in Istanbul. During their PhD, Isil worked for the United Nations in Myanmar, dedicating six months to managing a project focused on social inclusion through art. They have also taught art, design, culture, and philosophy in Japan, Turkey, and India, bringing a rich, multicultural perspective to their teachings and research.

Contemporary Outsider Art Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, Volume 33, 2024 

In "International Journal of Social, Political & Community Agendas in the Arts", 2020

In "Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research", 2019

Nagoya University,PhD Dissertation, 2018

In "The Sense and Sensibility of Madness", 2018

In "Japanese Journal of Psychiatric Treatment", 2016

In "Schizo: The Liberatory Potential of Madness", 2015

Izmir University of Economics, Master's Thesis, 2012

Below are the critical essays and other writings by Isil on art, focusing on current and emerging forms of marginalisation in contemporary capitalism, inequalities, the reconceptualisation of madness and mental health, resistance, dogma, and the art market.

In "A Cowboy in the City / Un Cowboy Dans La Ville / Sehirde Bir Kovboy" capitArt, 2021

Kaos Cocuk Parki, 2023

Kaos Cocuk Parki, 2023

In "Art and Madness / Sanat ve Delilik", Kaos Cocuk Parki, 2022

Klaros, 2023

Klaros, 2023

Klaros, 2020

Here you will find a novel/poetry book by Isil Ezgi Celik, written in Turkish and published under the Indian pen name, Esha Mathur. This pseudonym, of Indian origin, introduces a narrative that weaves an autobiography stretching from France to India and from Japan to Cambodia. Drawing inspiration from autobiographical elements, the narrative is intricately fused with a poetic sensibility that surfaces intermittently among decidedly ordinary perceptions. This modern nomadic tale traverses a rich tapestry of cultures, places, and characters, presenting a profound exploration of transient life across diverse landscapes. In this work, Isil engages with poetry not just as a literary style but as a means to perceive the world. The text straddles the line between autobiography and fiction, blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction to cloak the real in a poetic veil and suffuse the everyday with a poetic perspective. Provocative, oscillating between humorous and dark tones, and characterized by an underground flair, this work represents an attempt to reconnect with a long-abandoned native language and memories.

Experimental prose poetry novel, Klaros, 2019