The highly anticipated 2nd Türkiye Textile Biennial has officially begun, turning the historic sites of Gazipaşa and Alanya into a vibrant hub of textile art and environmental awareness.
Running from February 22 to April 13, this year’s theme, “Wave Fabric,” explores the deep connection between textiles, water, and sustainability.
Hosted by the Gazipaşa District Governorship in collaboration with Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, the biennial presents installations at breathtaking locations, including Selinus and Lamos Ancient Cities, Yalan Dünya Cave, the Red Tower, the Alanya Shipyard, and Syedra Ancient City.
These historic sites provide a unique setting where ancient heritage meets contemporary creativity.
Curator Nihat Özdal highlighted the environmental concerns tied to textile production, revealing that the global textile industry consumes 93 billion cubic meters of water annually.
He also noted that producing a single pair of jeans requires 10,000 cubic meters of water, while a cotton T-shirt takes 2,500 cubic meters.
With 20% of global water pollution linked to textiles, the biennial aims to raise awareness about sustainable fashion and eco-friendly production.
This year’s biennial features renowned international artists, including American Thomas Jackson, whose installations mimic nature using synthetic materials, and Swedish artist Diana Orving, who explores movement and transformation in textile art.
A major highlight is Özge Kahraman’s exhibition inside Yalan Dünya Cave.
A member of the Anatolian Speleology Group Association (ASPEG), Kahraman described the experience as a dream come true. “For years, I explored caves from the outside, but this time, the cave itself became part of my artwork. It was an unforgettable experience,” she shared.
Through exhibitions, workshops, performances, and discussions, the Türkiye Textile Biennial is more than an art event it is a powerful statement on the intersection of art, heritage, and sustainability.
Visitors have until April 13 to experience this extraordinary fusion of textiles and nature.
