Lal Batman
Artist · Istanbul
Inside a world where memory, fantasy and identity blur into something entirely her own. Four questions, one glimpse into Lal’s universe.
“When I move beyond the certainty of belonging, I feel that identity becomes more fluid, expansive, and generative.”
Introducing the first chapter of our monthly SÉLONE series, celebrating women who are shaping culture through their own worlds, practices and points of view.
Lal has spoken about constantly pushing herself towards new experiences and finding new versions of herself through the process. Her work carries the same freedom. Identity is never presented as something static; it can be distorted, performed, exaggerated, reconstructed and imagined again. In her Identities series, even her own face becomes material for transformation, echoing the altered selves we construct through contemporary visual culture and social media.
Her worlds are deliberately layered rather than linear. Ancient references sit beside contemporary symbols, historical elegance meets the artificial gloss of the present, and memories are transformed into objects, textures and images. There is something powerful in that freedom: the idea that we do not have to choose a single character, a single language or even a single version of ourselves.
Perhaps creating yourself is a lifelong practice.
1. When someone enters Lal’s world for the first time, what would you want them to notice first — and then, what would you want them to feel?
First, I would want them to notice the world created through the visual language and its layers. It is important to me that my work is not reduced to a single narrative, but instead creates a space open to multiple interpretations.
I want the contrasts that emerge through memory, identity, time, and cultural encounters to take on new meaning through each viewer’s own experiences. Above all, I value the dialogue between the artwork and the viewer becoming something deeply personal and emotional.
2. What different versions of yourself do Istanbul and California bring out? Do you feel freer when you belong somewhere, or when you are between two worlds?
For me, Istanbul is a place of memory and layers. It continually reconnects me with history, culture, and my intuitive side. California, on the other hand, feels more open-ended; there, I find myself becoming more receptive and fluid. But I think, as an artist, I feel most free whenever I have the opportunity to create. Being able to carve out space for myself across different geographies and cultures gives me an immense sense of freedom. When I move beyond the certainty of belonging, I feel that identity becomes more fluid, expansive, and generative.
3. Which detail in the SÉLONE look you are wearing today feels most like you? How did this look make you feel?
SÉLONE is a refined brand born from the vision of a young female entrepreneur, transforming boundary-pushing, experimental silhouettes into an organic part of everyday life. Its statement pieces challenge the ordinary while bringing together a distinctive aesthetic and a sensibility that can be seamlessly integrated into daily life.
The bold yet balanced attitude within the designs resonates with my own creative practice and discipline. That is why I feel bold, comfortable, and free when wearing SÉLONE.
4. Who is your Woman of the Month, and why?
My Woman of the Month is Mina Malaz. Through the extensive research she conducted for Orientalism: Between Fact and Fantasy at The Met, she brought a Turkish academic perspective to the study of Ottoman history and perceptions of Orientalism, while laying a strong foundation for future research. Integrating a Turkish scholarly perspective into the heart of such a deeply rooted and globally debated subject — and contributing something lasting to international art history — is an extraordinary achievement and a profound source of inspiration for me. The passion and lasting impact she has demonstrated through her identity as a female researcher make her this month’s most exceptional figure.
