The “Ferns with Roots Touching the Amazons” installation invites visitors to explore the complex connections between nature, history, and personal identity. Founded in the 7th century BC as a trading colony, Sinop boasts a rich heritage and is home to ancient ferns that have existed for over 300 million years. Reproducing through spores, these ferns, with roots possessing both medicinal and toxic properties, symbolize resilience and interconnectedness.

In the workshop, Sinop’s female participants were introduced to the roots of ferns and given the opportunity to study other plant roots, allowing them to imagine their own unique roots that represent their experiences and memories connected to the city. These women formed the foundation of the project by sharing their stories and drawing sketches.

Following the workshop, Seçil Yaylalı worked on these sketches, developing a series of symbols. She transformed the drawings into screen prints and created flags from recycled fabrics. These flags will form an installation in the courtyard of Sinop’s former prison, resembling the shape of roots, and will also be placed in certain streets of Sinop.

Public screen-printing workshops will be held with the stencils produced, allowing citizens to print their own designs on t-shirts and bags, fostering participation and connection. These printed garments will enable the project to live on and be exhibited as long as they are used.

Thanks to the following for their support: Sinopale Group; Ece Denizci, Erkan Akliman, Melih Görgün, Yağmur Güzle ve Yiğit Bahadır Kaya.
Elif Şensoy, Gözde Öngören, Hülya Gümüş, Leila Haghighat, Melike Bayık, Nuray Özdoğan, Özce Coşkun, Özgür Karaaslan, Türkan Akkulak Koç.

Special thanks to the workshop participants: Ayten Öncel, Derya Kırmızı Topal, Handan Yılmazer Turan, Hayriye Özdemir, Hidayet Baştan, Hülya Gümüş, Mecide Özkan, Nihal Mermer, Nuray Kuloğlu, Serpil Erbil, Sibel Çetinkaya Yaman, Yağmur Güzle.