Huddersfield-born artist Ian Berry has proved a real poster boy with his latest international show.
Ian, 40, is famous around the world for the incredible artwork he creates from denim jeans and now he’s taken Turkey by storm.
Anyone visiting the historic Turkish city of Istanbul over the last couple of weeks can’t fail to have noticed huge billboard posters promoting Ian’s latest show.
The exhibition ‘Beyond Denim’ is at Kalyon Kültür in the upmarket neighbourhood of Nişantaşı. Outside the historic former house, known as Stone Mansion, a giant banner greets people with ‘IAN BERRY’ prominently displayed.
Istanbul seems to have fallen for the former Netherton lad, who remains Huddersfield through and through, and it’s been a whirl of media interviews.
Ian said: “I had a day of back-to-back interviews, and it was great to do it with the work as it makes it easier for me when the journalist sees the real work.
“It’s great the exhibition is getting the exposure as I really want the people to come and see the work in real life.
“The reaction has been great, the best yet. Many people came, and many knew my work prior, but they had never seen it in real life.
“I think people see it differently at full scale, with the details and the layers for them to see away from images on the tiny phones we have.”
Ian’s work is displayed in several rooms in the historic venue. There’s home scenes like ‘Behind Closed Doors’ and ‘Lock Down Living Room’ and also a new version of his Secret Garden, his CCTV installation and also Denim Legends.
The Stone Mansion was built by Abdulhamid II and allocated to Mehmet Raif Pasha, who would give his name to the mansion in the last months of 1889.
Mehmet Raif Pasha (Köse) was a statesman who served as a governor, minister, vizier and the President of the Council of State in the last period of the Ottoman Empire.
Mehmet Raif Pasha’s daughter, poet İhsan Raif Hanım (1877-1926), also lived there and poetry, music and art was encouraged.
In recent times, seven times Grammy award-winning producer Arif Mardin grew up in the house. He introduced music legends such as the Bee Gees, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler.
The building is now a thriving cultural centre and Ian’s show – which is free to attend – runs until February 14 2025 – however there is already talk of an extension due to popular demand.
Ian added: “If people from Huddersfield visit Istanbul I’d love to think they would go and visit the show.”
Ian, who attended Newsome High School and Greenhead College in Huddersfield, has made a name for himself with his trailblazing works in denim. He was named as one of the best 30 artists in the world under the age of 30 by Art Business News.
He’s shown around the world but this is the first time in Turkey – and he’s still to show his work in Huddersfield.
Will we get up close to Ian’s work in his hometown? “One day, one day. Let’s see…” said Ian, who is coming back to Huddersfield over Christmas to see family and friends.
