Mustafa Yildiz
MFA ’25 Film/Video
In my work, I explore the intersections of human existence, divine silence, and our place within it. My short docu-drama, In Silence of the Divine, reflects on the lives of orphaned children in Somalia, capturing their displacement, faith, and struggle for survival. I seek to bridge the micro-level reality of orphaned children— the most vulnerable and innocent among the countless examples of suffering, injustice, and hardship in the world— to a macro-level inquiry into our place and role within this equation.
Where Were You? builds upon this exploration, expanding the themes of my film into an immersive, sensory installation. Exhibited at MassArt x SoWa, this project integrates selected footage from In Silence of the Divine, projected onto wooden and fabric structures reminiscent of rural shelters in Somalia. Accompanied by a layered soundscape, the installation serves as both an invitation and an evocative journey.
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Mustafa Yildiz is a multidisciplinary artist from Istanbul, Turkey. He began his lens-based work volunteering for non-profits in marginalized areas, and this evolved into a personal, independent art practice. Mustafa combines personal and cultural narratives with life’s lyrical aspects. His work explores human emotions and existential questions through evocative portraits and stories, reflecting on both individual identity and the collective human condition.
