Nancy Atakan has been an active figure in the Istanbul arts scene for over 40 years. Her practice, which spans most possible mediums, concentrates on topics such as the relationship between image and word, the meaning of belonging, gender politics, memory, and globalization. All of her work involves research, collaboration and dialogue as it incorporates observations of current events and references to history and culture. Believing the art arena to be a space for experimentation, as a part of her art practice, she co-founded in 2007 the Istanbul based art initiative/project space, 5533.