Nilay İşlek is a London-based artist, academic, and curator originally from İzmir, Turkey. She completed her undergraduate studies in Photography at Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Fine Arts in 2003. She earned her master’s degree from the same university in 2009, and in 2023, she completed her PhD at Ege University in the Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema, focusing on documentary photography and postmodern aesthetics.

İşlek’s artistic practice centers around conceptual and documentary photography, visual culture research, and curatorial work. She began her professional journey in 1995 with studio photography and later expanded into the field of education. Over the years, she has taught photography at various institutions, including İzmir Science High School, the İzmir Association for Photography Art (İFOD), and İzmir University of Economics.

Her involvement in international art events began with the 2005 Summer Universiade. She later served on the Board of Directors of İFOD (2012–2015), was a delegate to the Photographic Arts Federation of Turkey (2012–2014), and was a board member of K2 Contemporary Art Center (2012–2018).

In 2011, İşlek founded the Artlens Visual Culture and Photography Workshop in İzmir. In 2018, after being awarded the prestigious “Exceptional Talent” visa by the UK government, she moved to London and established Artlens London Visual Art Atelier.

In 2016, she was awarded the international title of Fujifilm “X-Photographer”, becoming the first female photographer from Turkey to receive this distinction. As a Fujifilm ambassador and educator, she delivered basic photography education through the Fujifilm Education Center. Between 2017 and 2018, she was selected for the “Other Places” İzmir–Bremen Artist Residency Program, participated in numerous international exhibitions, and curated both group and solo shows.

Her academic research focuses on interdisciplinary topics including visual culture, photographic theory, collective memory, identity, and the relationship between people and place. Her work has been published in various academic journals and book chapters.

For the past five years, İşlek has served as a jury member for the Turkish Community Art Exhibition organized by the Yunus Emre Institute and the Turkish Consulate General in London. She is also frequently invited to serve as a juror in art competitions and to lead workshops and speak at international art organizations.

Currently based in London, İşlek continues her artistic and academic work, developing projects that explore the interconnected themes of memory, identity, and place while actively engaging in education, exhibition, and research activities on an international scale.

Education

2023: PhD Degree, Ege University Communication Faculty, Radio-TV and Cinema Dep.

1999- 2003:            Undergraduate Degree, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Fine Arts, Photography Department

2006- 2010:             Master of Arts Degree, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Fine Arts, Photography Department

International Exhibitions

  • “Straße – Schaufenster von Kulturen” Bremen -2019
  • Photobox Shortlist and Winners 2018 – London
  • “Women of Anatolia” England Alevi Culture Center And Cemevi London-2018
  • Izmir- Bremen Photography Artist Residance Program Exhibition / “Elsewhere” (Individual) Staetische Gallerie Bremen – 2017
  • World Art Day / International Participation Interdisciplinary Exhibition, Izmir-2016
  • 6th Egeart Art Days  “Perceptual Differentiation” (Individual), Izmir-2016
  • “Lots To Spot” (Individual), University of Exeter, London-2013
  • 2nd International Exhibition Media and Visual Art / “Exploring novelties”, Izmir University-2013
  • 1st International Symposium on Language and Communication / “Research Trends and Challenges”, Izmir University- 2012
  • Association Interculturelle TURQUIE/ “Endangered Trades” (Group), Thale- GERMANY -2011
  • 7th International Photography Days/ “Trail” (Group), Near East University, Cyprus- 2011
  • Association Interculturelle TURQUIE/ “Endangered Trades” (Group), Paris- FRANCE- 2010
  • 6th International Photography Days / “Urban Stories” (Individual) Near East University, Cyprus- 2009
  • 3th Egeart Art Days Exhibiton (Group), Izmir- 2009
  • Bridge Project/ “Visual Mails” (Group Exhibition), Osnabrück, GERMANY- 2008
  • International Symposium Emotional Intelligence and Communication / “Emotional Communication” (Group Exhibition), Ege University, Izmir- 2007
  • Izmir Association of Photography Art (IFOD) Serial Exhibitions/ “By Women For Women” London, Washington – 2005-2007
  • 3th International Photography Days / “Hospital” (Individual Exhibition) Near East University, Cyprus – 2003

National Exhibitions

  • K2 Contemporary Art Center / “RGB” (Individual), Izmir- 2017
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University The Appllication and  ResearchCenter for The Study of Women and Society / “Woman in Life” (Group), Samsun -2017
  • Ege University Faculty of Communication / “Life in Izmir” (Group), Izmir- 2016
  • “Fear”  (Group) Izmir- 2011
  • Izmir Association of Photography Art (IFOD) Traditional Exhibitions’10 / “Trail” (Group), Izmir- 2011
  •  “Urban Stories” (Individual) GOETHE-INSTITUT, İzmir- 2009
  • Çetin Emeç Art Gallery / “Alienation” (Group), Izmir- 2009
  • Izmir Association of Photography Art (IFOD) Traditional Exhibitions’07 / “Red” (Group), Izmir- 2007
  • “Steel and Life (Group) Zonguldak- 2007
  • “By Women For Women” (Group) Istanbul, Urfa, Izmir, Ankara, Bursa, Eskisehir, Trabzon 2005-2007
  •  “Nude as an Expression Problem /Sensual Projections” (Individual) Canon Erkayalar Art Gallery, Izmir- 2003
  • “Sensual Projections” (Individual) İzmir- 2003
  • Fine Art Faculty Exhibiton/ “Workers” (Group), Izmir- 2003
  • 5th Gaziantep Association of Photography Art (GAFSAD) Photography Days / “Sensual Projections” (Individual) Gaziantep-2003
  • Fine Art Faculty Exhibiton/ “Lonelyness” (Group Exhibition), Izmir- 2003
  • Fine Art Faculty Exhibiton/ “House-s” (Group Exhibition), Izmir- 2003
  • The Istanbul Photography and Cinema Amateurs Association (İFSAK) 18th Photography Days / “Shadow”  (Group Exhibition) İstanbul- 2003
  • Fine Art Faculty Exhibiton/ “Portraits” Group Exhibition) Izmir-  2002
  • Fine Art Faculty Exhibiton/ “Body”  Group Exhibition) İzmir- 2001
  • Hüsnü Tekin Memorial Exhibition / “No-name”, (Group Exhibition) Izmir- 2000
  • Hüsnü Tekin Memorial Exhibition / “Pantomime” (Group Exhibition) Izmir- 1999

Exhibitions- curated by Nilay Islek

  • Serdar Ağır “Like Painting”, Curator, 2015
  • Artlens Visual Culture Atelier Exhibition “7” , Curator, 2013
  • Izmir Photography Days , Member of Organization Committee, 2013
  • Artlens Visual Culture and Photography Atelier Exhibition “Heavy” , Curator, 2012
  • Artlens Visual Culture and Photography Atelier Exhibition “Fear”, Curator, 2011

Participation to Professional Events

  • “Streets and Life” Izmirgaz Photography Contest (Jury member), İzmir- 2017
  • “Tree” Izmir Turkish College Photograhy Contest (Jury member), Izmir- 2017
  • Denizli Association of Photography Art (DEFSAD) (Invited Lecturer), Denizli- 2017
  • The Ege Photography and Cinema Amatuers Association(EFSA)  (Invited Lecturer), Izmir- 2017
  • Fethiye Association of Photography and Cinema (FEFSAD) Photography Festival (Invited Lecturer and Speaker) , Muğla- 2016
  • Izmir Chamber of Photographers “The Art of Photography and Technology Seminar” (Speaker), Izmir- 2016
  • Marmaris Association of Photography (MARFOD) (Speaker), Muğla- 2016
  • “Our Traditions” Izmirgaz Photography Contest (Jury member), Izmir- 2016
  • “Here is the Women” Association of Business Women in Izmir (IZIKAD) Photography Contest (Jury member), Izmir- 2016
  • The Ege Photography and Cinema Amatuers Association (EFSA)  (Invited Lecturer), Izmir- 2016
  • “Photographic language” (Speaker) Fujifilm Education Center – Istanbul- 2015
  • “Erasmus-Focus Project” Turkey Meeting (Invited Lecturer) – Manisa- 2015
  • Çamlaraltı College 11th Career Days (Speaker), Izmir- 2015
  • “Photography and Technical Analysis ” (Speaker) Fujifilm Education Center – Istanbul- 2014
  • “Menderes in my view” Photograhy Contest (Jury member), Izmir- 2014
  • “My heart belongs to Aegean” Photography Contest (Jury member), Izmir- 2014
  • Bergama Association of Amatuer Photography Art (BEAFSAD) (Invited Lecturer), Izmir- 2013-2014
  •  Marmaris Association of Photography (MARFOD) (Speaker), Muğla- 2014
  • “Waste and Art” Ege University Photography Contest (Jury member), Izmir-2013
  •  “Our coves” Turkish Chamber of Shipping  Photograhy Contest (Jury member), Muğla- 2013
  • “A city’s anatomy” IFOD Photograhy Contest (Jury member and speaker), Izmir- 2013
  • “Lost occupations” Izmir Turkish College Photograhy Contest (Jury member), Izmir- 2013
  •  “Fall” Marmaris Municipality Photograhy Contest  (Jury member), 2012
  •  “Mother” Izmir Association of Photography Art (IFOD) Photography Contest (Jury member), 2012
  • “Blue” Izmir Association of Photography Art (IFOD) Photograhy Contest (Jury member and speaker), 2012
  •  Kusadası Association of Photography and Cinema (KUFSAD) Photography Contest (Jury member and speaker), 2012
  •  “International Izmir Photography Days” (Member of Organization Committee), 2011
  • “Trail” Izmir Association of Photography Art (IFOD) Traditional Exhibitions ’10 (Jury member), 2011
  • “Digital Photography” Gaziantep Association of Photography Art (GAFSAD), (Invited Lecturer), Gaziantep- 2011
  • “Documentary Perception on Photography” Marmaris Association of Photography (MARFOD) (Speaker), 2011
  • “Alienation” Gaziantep Association of Photography Art (GAFSAD) 5. Photography Days (Dia Show and Lecture), 2010
  • “Universiade  Official Report” (Photo Editor),  İzmir- 2006

Membership to Organizations

  • FujiFilm X Photographer , 2016 to present
  • Izmir Association of Photography Art (İFOD) /Executive Board Member, 2012-2015
  • K2 Contemporary Art Center / Executive Board Member 2012 to present
  • Delegate of Photographic Arts Federation of Turkey (PAFT), 2012- 2014

Participations and Lectures in Organizations

  • Fujifilm Education Center – İZMİR  (Workshop Leader) 2014 to present
  • Artlens Visual Culture and Photography Atelier, (Owner and Lecturer) 2009 to present
  • Nikon School, (Digital Photography Lecturer) 2014 – 2015
  • Çimentaş Group, Photography Club, (Creator and lecturer) 2010 to present
  • Izmir Association of Photography Art (İFOD), (Lecturer) 2006 – 2015
  • Buca Municipalty Culture and Art Department Photography Club (Lecturer) 2012 – 2013
  • Izmir Chamber of Accountants and Financial Advisors (AMMO) Photography Club, (Lecturer) 2008
  • Izmir Fen High School Photography Club, (Lecturer) 2003 -2004

Publications

  • “Sanat ve İletişim Aracı Olarak Fotoğraf”/ “Photography as Art and Communication Medium” Ed.Zühal Özel Sağlamtimur, Ch.1 “ Fotografik Gerçeklik ve Kurgu” / “Fiction and Reality in Photography”, Ege University Publishing, 2016
  • “Çoğul Okuma, Studium ve Punctum” / “Studium and Punctum in Photography”, Journal of Kontrast p.26 No: 50, 2016
  • “Bir Şehri Yaşamak” / “Living the City” (Book consultant / Editor), İzmir- 2015
  • DOSYA: Minimalizm ve Fotoğraf, “Sıradan Olan mı? Boşluk Dolduran mı?” / FILE: Minimalism and Photography, “Being Ordinary or Filling the Gaps?” Journal of Fotografya, No:32, 2015
  • DOSYA: Koleksiyon Kültürü ve Fotoğraf Koleksiyonculuğu, “Nadire Kabinelerinden Koleksiyonerliğe” / FILE: Collection Culture and Collecting Photography , “From cabinet de curiosite to  collectors” Journal of Fotografya Dergisi, No:31, 2015
  • DOSYA: Telefon Fotoğrafçılığı, “Camera Obscura’dan Cep Telefonuna” / FILE: Mobil Photography, “From Camera Obscura to Mobil Phone” Journal of Fotografya No:30, 2015
  • DOSYA: Şiddet ,“Şiddeti Fotoğraflamak”, / FILE: Violence, “Shooting the Violence” Journal of Fotografya No: 27, 2014
  • Bakaç Journal, Izmir Association of Photography Art (İFOD) , Haziran 2007

Publications Nilay Islek Cited

  • “Fotoğrafımızda 1960’tan Günümüze” / “From 1960 to Present in Our Photography” Prof.Güler ERTAN- Leyla EMEKTAR, Alternatif Publishing, Istanbul-2017
  • “Sokak Fotoğrafçılığında Sürrealizmin Görsel Etkileri” / “Visual Effects of Surrealism in Street Photography” M.Fatih YELMEN, Ege University Instituet of Social Sciences PhD Thesis, Izmir- 2016
  • “Türk Fotoğrafında Çıplak” / “Nude in Turkish Photography” , Ed. Alberto Modiano, Bileşim Publishing, İstanbul- 2004

Media Recogniton

  • Yeni Asır Newspaper, “Interview”, Ercan Akgün, 10 th  Jun 2017
  • Yeni Asır Newspaper, “Interview and Exhibition news, Ercan Akgün,16th   Feb 2017
  • Ege Telgraf Newspaper “Interview”, Serdar Agır, 16th   Feb 2017
  • Hürriyet Newspaper, “Exhibition news”, 16th   Feb 2017
  • Akşam Newspaper, “Interview”, Mert Alan, 20 th Aug 2016
  • Milliyet Newspaper, “Exhibition news and Interview”, Art service, 21 th Aug 2016
  • Cumhuriyet Newspaper, “Short Interview”, Culture and Arts service, 08 th Aug 2016
  • İlkses Newspaper, “Interview- exclusive news”, Çağla Geniş, 22th Sep 2016
  • Sabah Cumartesi Newspaper  “Interview”, Pınar Yıldız Yüksel, 29th Oct 2016
  • Weser-Kruger Newspaper “Interview”, Von Anika Luebben, 3th Sep 2016
  • Milliyet Ege  Newspaper, “Interview” , İnci Ürkmez, 24th Apr 2016
  • Hürriyet Newspaper, “Exhibition news”, 4th   Nov 2016
  • Şamdan Magazine, “Short Interview”, 31 th Aug 2016
  • Hürriyet Ege Newspaper, “Event news”, 22th   Mar 2015
  • Ege Telgraf Newspaper, “Interview” Atakan Üpçin , 29 th  Jul 2014
  • İzmir Life Plus Magazine, “Interview”, Chios Island, 2014
  • Hürriyet Newspaper, “Exhibition news”, 13th   Oct 2013
  • “Net” News Magazine (Ekonomi Ünv) no.3 “Interview”,Merve Gürkan, 2013
  • Diva Magazine, “Exhibition news”, 22th   Jun 2012
  • Cumhuriyet Newspaper “ Interview” Serdar Ağır-2009
  • Cumhuriyet Newspaper “Exhibition news” Oğuz Yıldız, 23 th  Jan 2009
  • Mavişehir Plus+ “Interview” , No:1 Eylül 2007
  •  “NOKTA”  News Magazine, “Exhibition news”, (No: 1120) 2004
  • Yeni Asır Newspaper, “Exhibition news”, 5th   Dec 2003
  • Akşam Newspaperi, “Exhibition news”, 6th   Dec 2003
  • Söz Newspaper, “Exhibition news”, 17th   Jul 2003

Tv Program

  • TRT Kent Radio, Radio Program Guest, 2016
  • Ege University TV “Shutter Release ” Tv Program Guest, 2015
  • TRT Kent Radio, Radio Program Guest, 2015
  • Sky Tv “A Nice Day” Tv Program Guest, 2015
  • Sky Tv “With Şeküre Boz ” Tv Program Guest, 2014
  • Ege University TV “Shutter Release ” Tv Program Guest ,2013
  • Kanal 35 “Weekend” Tv Program Guest ,2011
  • TRT- Documentary “Turquoise Program” Tv Program Guest ,2010
  • Yeni Asır TV “Morning Coffee” Tv Show ,Program Guest, 2009

Web Publications

  1. fotogezgin.com (Autor of the photography workshop)
  2. www.ifod.org (Photo Article)