Navigating Norms

About Navigating Norms

This figurative steel kinetic indoor sculpture challenges cultural norms about women.

The finely detailed, provocative sculptures of Derya Ozparlak have secured her a unique place in the world of sculptural art. Her iconic work often features human figures forged from steel held aloft by balloons. Here, two female figures—one in a dress, long hair flying clutches a bouquet of shiny red fibreglass balloons and with one hand holds onto another female figure dressed in a suit. Ozparlak’s work explores themes about culture and society. This piece makes a social comment on expectations related to the battle between ‘gender, traditional roles and personal autonomy’ in what is often a male-dominated world. The balloons are symbolic of ‘freedom’ and the idea of breaking free from ‘conformity.’

“(The sculpture)… represents the struggle of a woman who must find her own way within the constraints, expectations, and rigid structures imposed by society.
The two figures symbolize both solidarity and internal conflict, reflecting the necessity of confronting these norms in order to move forward.” Derya Ozparlak

Derya Ozparlak was born in Turkey and completed a BFA from Anadolu University. She now lives and works in Toronto and is pursuing a second BFA at OCAD University in the area of Experimental Animation. Ozparlak's artworks are held in corporate, private, museum and public collections. Derya Ozparlak has participated in numerous groups, solo exhibitions, art fairs, and symposiums in Canada, France, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the US, Spain, Lebanon, Germany and Italy.