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ARAS PARS AYKUS (He/ they) 

Toronto, ON, Canada
arasparsaykus@gmail.com 

EDUCATION 

Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul, Turkey 

Master’s Degree with Thesis, European and Contemporary Art, 2010 

Bachelor’s Degree, History of Art and Archaeology, 1999 

CERTIFICATES 

Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Cinema-TV Department – Screenwriting Certificate Program, 2023
Reiki Practitioner – Level 1 Certificate, 2022
Indigenous Cultural Competency Cycle 1–2 Certificate, 2021
Nalan Yırtmaç Studio, Istanbul – Acrylic and Watercolour Painting Program, 2018
 

WRITING & FILM EXPERIENCE 

Mukavemet Magazine – Art History and Exhibition Writer, 2017–2018
Oyku Aytu, Director – Screenwriter, “Truth” (Short Film), 2015
Sanovizyon Magazine – Art and Contemporary Art News Writer, 2014–2015
TRT National Scriptwriting Competition – Second Prize (Scriptwriting Category), 2002 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

The Stop’s Green Barn, Toronto, Canada – Greenhouse and Garden Worker, 2023–Present
• Engaged in urban agriculture and ecological education projects.
• Collaborated on creative and curatorial initiatives combining art, sustainability, and community care. 

The Gadget of Art and Vintage, Toronto, Canada – Founder, 2021–Present
• Curates found-object installations and vintage-inspired displays exploring nostalgia and material culture. 

Taksim Art Café, Istanbul – Art History Workshop Facilitator, 2017
• Led sessions on 19th-century political, social, and art history. 

Mimar Sinan University Art Museum, Istanbul – Art Historian and Photographer, Sabri Berkel Studio Archive and Restoration, 2005–2006 

Elementary and High Schools, Istanbul – Art History & Turkish Teacher, 2002–2019 

SELECTED PROJECTS & CURATORIAL WORK 

Harvest Art Show, The Stop’s Green Barn, Toronto, Canada – Curatorial Project & Installation Artist, 2025
• Participated with “Have a Seat”, a living moss installation exploring sustainability and human–nature interaction. 

Urban Gardening Project, Bomonti ada, Istanbul – Collaborative Ecological Art Initiative with Bugday Association, 2016 

EXHIBITIONS 

The Stop Green Barn Group Exhibition, Toronto Canada, Video Art& Installation 2025-present 

The Stop Green Barn, Toronto, Canada, installation, 2025 

Cihangir Art Club, Istanbul, Video art&performance‘, Being a t'  2016 

Cihangir Art Club, Istanbul – Group Exhibition (Installation), 2004 

Karga Art, Istanbul – Video Art Exhibition, 2004 

RESIDENCIES- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 

Ebru Ceylan Photography and Dark Room Residency, Assos, Turkey – 2017 

Ebru Ceylan, Screenwriting and film reading Residency, Assos, Turkey- 2016 

Nalan Yırtmac Studio Painting and Art Talk Residency, Cihangir, Istanbul – 2016 

Bugday Association / Bomontiada, Istanbul – Urban Gardening Collaborator, 2016
• Participated in a community ecological art project integrating sustainable urban practices. 

Istanbul, 2016