Meryem - Conceptual Portrait Artist

24/03/2026

"𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗞𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗠" 𝗮𝘁 Moq ART NOW Galerie

“Spektrum” is not just for me, but for all those who fall through the cracks of the system. For all of us who process stimuli differently and for whom verbal communication does not follow a linear path. For the “𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴”, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 “𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴”, and the “𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘥𝘰𝘴”.
For perceptions that 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥.

The exhibition explores the 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘂𝗗𝗛𝗗, 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗗𝗛𝗗 - not as an explanation, but as an experience.

Who are we when we don’t assume social roles?
How much space remains when our needs 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘴?
And what happens when acceptance and integration are tied to conformity?

"Spektrum" moves between 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦,
between 𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴,
between 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 -
and makes tangible what often remains 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦.

𝘉𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

The exhibition is open every Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. through April 30.

Photo credits: Photogulasch | Lorant
Woman, visitor, friend: Eleni

04/10/2025

"So go on and be your dysfunctional self
Life's too short to play someone else
'Cause being normal is just a trap
But you're never so gone that you can't turn back
So go on and be unpredictable
Shatter the glass when it's half full
The audience has waited all this time
You're well-rehearsed and you know your lines
So introduce them to the wonderful dysfunctional you"
- Shinedown

It's been a while since I drew inspiration from my own personal experience. After decades of frustration and hard work I got diagnosed with autism. I've been unmasking since, and it comes with a great cost - communication.
I can't read what's between the lines. I have never been able to and not everyone is okay with that. Sometimes people try to use my own words against me, use interpretation as some kind of manipulation tool. It's confusing and I feel overwhelmed in the worst way possible. I don't understand the construct of manipulation in any situation.
I feel tied up in neurotypical expectations, forced to wear a mask that doesn't fit - just for a brief moment of peace and simplicity. I can throw away that mask as often as I want - it feels like people will bring it back and forcefully put it on my face.

BTW, Tylenol/paracetamol is not the cause. Several genes are involved in ASD. (Yes, Trump is wrong - but that's something we've already learnt)

21/09/2025

Can we stop looking for perfection for a moment and talk about mistakes?

Yes, making mistakes can feel quite frustrating. We've all been there - I promise. And keeping them behind closed doors will not destigmatize them.

I created this image last summer, with a perfect picture in my mind. Well balanced, colored, with the use of a clear symbol.
During the editing process I realized that I can't make all of this happen. There is little balance, a lot more dramatic lighting than intended and the symbol underneath the skin didn't work at all.

And I share it with you.
Why?
I like making mistakes - it gives me a chance to become a better artist, to analyze, define and understand. It helps me design a new routine for every piece, based on my knowledge and experience.

My mistakes teach me lessons.
Lessons teach me growth and knowledge.
It's not uncomfortable - it's like a subtle voice in my head saying "You've done your best and that's amazing. You found an opportunity to try something new next time, and it might turn out better than before."

How do you deal with mistakes?

31/08/2025

Day 3/3 at Transform-Arte Kunstmesse
What a great time to meet such lovely and inspiring people, just like Thomas (can't tag you, Facebook fails us again) 😊

Tag 3 auf der Transform-Arte Kunstmesse, hier mit meiner Stand-Nachbarin Meryem - Atelophobia Arts 🙂

30/08/2025

Tag 2/3 auf der Transform-Arte Kunstmesse

Panda und ich freuen uns auf euch! 💕

10/08/2025

TRANSFORM-ARTE 2025

After a break of more than five years, I have decided to exhibit my work again in galleries and at art fairs.
I cordially invite you to the Transform-Arte art fair.

It will take place from august 29th - august 31st in Eisenstadt.

I am excited to see you there!

01/08/2025

People take part in the lemon challenge to raise awareness for disabilities, rare and chronic illnesses. I wanted to create my own version, from the perspective of someone living with a hidden disability.

22/04/2025

"The fruits of our labour", 2025

Chronic illness means change - both mentally and in your surroundings. It is sometimes difficult for me to accept that the work I have put into achieving my wishes and goals can no longer bear the fruit I had imagined.

I am only moderately affected. I am only one of many. Every day I read about the experiences of others - people who are fighting for their lives every day against all kinds of pain, fatigue and other symptoms. One thing quickly becomes clear: inclusion is not a request.
People who are unable to get out of bed are considered fit for work. Many lose their jobs because employers often do not make adjustments (despite all the advantages that employers in Austria can have when hiring a person with a disability).
No one chose to be unable to work, nor did they choose isolation and medical stigmatisation.

Inclusion is a human right.
Today. Now.

Yes, I am angry.
Not only for myself, but also for those who no longer have the strength to do so.

11/04/2025

"The beginning", 2025

I like new beginnings and the process of letting go and inviting something new into my life. Not too long ago this year I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that changes my entire life. The situation forced me to make major decisions - it wasn't easy, but I enjoy to watch the transformation while taking care of myself and my dreams.

27/02/2025

2024/25

I let it speak for itself.

(FB lowered the quality again, it will be displayed in a better quality soon on my website)