Memorial Exhibition for Gönül Sen-Menzel in Her Studio

The memorial exhibition on June 28, 2014, honored an extraordinary artist. Gönül Sen-Menzel (1949–2014) was a Turkish-German painter with a charisma fueled by boundless creativity.

Her lively, color-intense style became her signature. As a mentor and role model, she had a formative influence on many artists.

Over the last 25 years, her studio in Cologne-Volkhoven became a meeting place that many remember fondly. She also played a decisive part in shaping the art scene in the north of Cologne, for example with the art project “Kunst(T)räume Chorweiler”. A special feature of her work was painting movement in real time. In open-air performances she captured dancers on canvas, as in 2013 in the European Capital of Culture Marseille and on Pariser Platz in Chorweiler.

Gönül Sen-Menzel studied art at the Teachers’ College in Istanbul. She also studied at the Düsseldorf Art Academy, graduating as a master student. She exhibited in more than 200 renowned galleries worldwide. She also worked as an art teacher and wrote children’s books.

A defining trait of Gönül Sen-Menzel was her strong sense of justice and her commitment to the disadvantaged. She campaigned for women’s rights, against oppression and for children, and showed remarkable moral courage.

The memorial exhibition took place in her studio with artists from the international artists’ group KÖL-TÜR, which Gönül Sen-Menzel founded in Cologne in 1983. Since then, KÖL-TÜR has regularly organized events, workshops and art markets.

Exhibition Details

Date: June 28, 2014, 1 to 8 p.m.
Opening: 2 p.m. by district mayor Cornelie Wittsack-Junge, followed by live painting and music
Venue: Studio of Gönül Sen-Menzel, Volkhovener Weg 209–211, 50765 Cologne-Volkhoven, Germany
Organizer: City of Cologne (Chorweiler District Council) in cooperation with KÖL-TÜR

Press Coverage and Documents (in German)

Kölnische Rundschau: She shaped the art scene in the north
City of Cologne events calendar: Memorial exhibition for Gönül Sen-Menzel
City of Cologne press release, May 30, 2014 (PDF)