She completed two residency programs in Toulouse and Marseille during her BA studies. In 2013, she conducted urban research in Cuba, deepening her engagement with spatial politics. After years working in architectural design offices across London, Istanbul, and continually Verona, she transitioned to artistic research and studio practice in 2020, while maintaining engagement in architectural office work. She has exhibited in France, the UK, the USA and Italy. She is also co-partner of a research think tank Al Mukhatab focuses on decolonial thinking and museum studies since 2021 with Amal Muntaser.
Her practice navigates themes of language, identity, and representation, merging digital techniques with tactile craftsmanship.
Education
2009-2015 BA in Architecture, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul, TR
2017-2020 MA in Architecture and History, Politecnico di Milano, Mantua, IT
Group exhibitions
2025 On Invisible Structures, Monk Art Gallery, Izmir, TR
2023 QUT – Tout commence par une interruption, Le Citizen Hotel, Paris, FR
2022 1989: The Postcollapse in Art and Culture, Cerritos College Art Gallery, Los Angeles, USA
2020 Monaco Art Fair – Represented by Van Gogh Gallery, Monaco, FR
2020 In 24-Hours , The Wall Space Gallery, Scotland, UK
2020 In Isolation Together, Artcore Gallery, UK
2014 Des Européens rassemblés à Fontlongue, CYME Association Center, Miramas, FR
Grants / Residencies
UPCOMING
2026 Can Serrat Collective Creation Laboratory Residency, El Bruc-Barcelona, ES
2021 TRACCE #3, A.U.T. Rezidenza Artistica, Bari, IT
2013 Emre Arolat Researching Scholarship , EAA, Istanbul, TR
2011 Mamak Housing Design Competition (2nd Mention), Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects, Ankara, TR
Selected lectures / Presentations
2022 Spatial organisations of socialist urbanism, Corvetto NZSD Workshop, Viafarini Milano, Milano, IT
https://www.viafarini.org/470/corvetto-nzsd/
2021 Museology as a Multidimentional Phenomenon, Practices of rupture. Toward a reparative justice, Archive Milano, Milano, IT
https://www.archivesites.org/2021/11/18/practices-of-rupture-toward-a-reparative-justice/
2020 Makoko The Amphibian City, Official entry to SEOUL Biennale’21, Seoul, KR
(A collaborative to delve into acknowledging and constructing new urbanism (in collaboration with various architects, artists, and researchers)
2014 Spatial Organisation of Public Squares- Case study: Santa Clara – Cuba, Karaburun Science Congress, Izmir, TR
kongrekaraburun.org/tam-metinler/esra-nesipogullari
2012 Transformation, Urban Identity and Perception of Space, Karaburun Science Congress, Izmir, TR
kongrekaraburun.org/category/gecmis-kongreler/kongre-2012/
Selected Press
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXuDY-G2Iw8
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5lhUmhKwWtGvkLQQse64mw
Collections
Private collections in Turkey, Italy, France and Germany.
Participations / Other Activities
2015-2017 // 2021 – ongoing
Actively involved in architectural design through hands-on office practice
2025 | Workshop I Come From Outside of Myself lead by Ludovica Carbotta , Scuola Piccola Zattere – Venice, IT
Participant
The workshop explored speculative narratives around borders, identity, and universalism through filmic writing and site-based research at the Giardini della Biennale.
2014 | ERASMUS Project – CYME Association, Arles-Miramas-Saint Rémy de Provence, FR
Participant in Residence
Engaged in a series of workshops and discussions centered on artistic and architectural practices. Contributed a unique artistic production to a final exhibition, deepening the intersection between architecture, culture, and community.
2013 | ERASMUS IP Project: By Passing Karaköy Istanbul, TR
Participant
An interdisciplinary collaboration between Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (Turkey), Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Architecture de Lyon (France), and Politecnico di Torino (Italy), focused on reimagining the urban environment of Karaköy, Istanbul. Esra worked alongside international students and professionals to develop creative solutions for urban regeneration.
2012 | UMÖB (National Architecture Student Meeting) 12.5, Mardin, TR
Workshop Co-Mentor with Defnegül Kayaoğlu
Led a workshop titled Exploring Urban Hegemony: Human Interaction and Space in the City, guiding 10 architecture students in examining how power dynamics influence urban design and public space.
2012 | European Solidarity Corps of the EU – Art and Humanities Project, Toulouse, FR
Participant in Residence
Contributed fine craftsmanship and woodworking to the restoration of a chapel in Toulouse, participating in a hands-on renovation project that bridged art, architecture, and heritage conservation.
2010 | Chamber of Architects of Turkey / Student Workshop 6th edition, Istanbul, TR
Participant
Collaborated in a student workshop focused on the revalorization of abandoned public squares in Istanbul’s historical peninsula. The project culminated in a public exhibition at the Chamber of Architects of Turkey.
2010 | Contribution to the Book: Balikesir Rural Area Physical Environment Analysis, Istanbul – Balikesir, TR
Student Contributor
Collaborated on an environmental analysis project that involved surveying, drawing, and archival work for a rural area study. The work was published by the Ministry of Public Works in Turkey, highlighting sustainable and functional design approaches in rural contexts.