Sebla Elbir

My paintings speak of resistance, emotion, memory, and the fragile relationship between humans and nature. I see oil paint as a language of expression that makes visible the feelings where words fall short. Rivers, trees, human figures, and landscapes are not merely parts of nature for me; they are symbols of hope, transformation, and the quiet yet powerful resilience of life. Living with ALS has changed the way I perceive the world and create. Yet rather than limiting my art, this change gave it new meaning. Painting became for me not just a process of creation, but a way of existing anew, expressing myself, and connecting with life. I create each of my works with patience, care, and sincerity, entirely original. My aim is not simply to present an aesthetic image, but to create works that invite the viewer to pause, reflect, feel, and connect with their own life story. I believe that art is a universal language capable of conveying the deepest emotions without the need for words. And with every painting, I continue to speak this language and to share hope, resilience, and the quiet beauty of life.

I was born in Ankara in 1978. Although my art teacher in middle school noticed my talent and steered me toward painting, my interest in English pushed me to become an English teacher. While married and a mother of two, I was diagnosed with ALS in 2006. Due to this nervous system and muscle-wasting disease, known as the disease of astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, I am 90% disabled and retired on disability grounds. In 2017, I said hello to painting again, and by creating oil paintings without moving my hands or arms, I am demonstrating how individuals with disabilities can have a voice in life.

Mosaic art gallery three mixed exhibitions Adana contemporary art fair Ugi art gallery mixed exhibition Nokta art gallery mixed exhibition Ankara Altındağ municipality Women in Anatolia painting exhibition