Artist Statement – Firuze Gokce
Whale Sounds on a Canvas: Bridging Sound, Science, and Emotion

My name is Firuze Gokce, and I am an artist, conservationist, and storyteller. My work is driven by a deep reverence for the ocean and especially whales, whose intelligence, social bonds, and haunting songs have captivated me for years. With every piece I create, I aim to explore the emotional and ecological dimensions of marine life while pushing the boundaries of visual expression.

On May 23rd, I reached a meaningful milestone in my artistic career: the debut of my first solo exhibition, Whale Sounds on a Canvas. The collection was the culmination of years of listening, observing, and experimenting. It featured a combination of large-scale prints and immersive video projections that invited viewers to experience not just what whales look like, but what they sound and feel like. By blending hand-drawn lines with spectrogram patterns derived from actual whale vocalizations, I sought to transform sound into visual language—an abstract narrative that bridges the worlds of science and emotion.

Building on the momentum of this debut, I presented Whale Sounds on a Canvas II at Usher Gallery in Petaluma in October 2025. This second exhibition extended my artistic exploration by introducing new pieces that represent the individual stories of whales. Some are inspired by real scientific research, and others honor specific species, behaviors, or conservation challenges. Each artwork was an attempt to give voice to the voiceless, illuminating not only the beauty of these majestic beings but also the deeper, often overlooked narratives behind their existence. The show has relocated to the Laguna De Santa Rosa Foundation and will be on display until April 24.

In recognition of my work, I was honored with an Honorable Mention Award from the Marin Society of Artists for my piece Diving into the Depths of the Ocean, a layered interpretation of the mystery and movement beneath the surface. I was also selected for Art Trails 2024 by the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, a juried program that showcases some of the most innovative and dedicated artists in the region. This opportunity allowed me to open my studio to the public, share my creative process, and connect directly with an audience passionate about both art and environmental stewardship.

Inspiration from the Deep
My fascination with whales began not in a marine biology lab, but through art and sound. I was first introduced to whale calls through a hydrophone recording shared by a conservation group. The eerie, melodic tones struck something deep within me: A call from the ocean that demanded a creative response. That moment sparked an obsession with translating acoustic phenomena into visual expression. I began studying spectrograms (visual representations of sound frequencies) and realized their patterns held a stunning kind of abstract beauty.

This realization led me to develop a technique that merges my background in fine art with oceanographic data and bioacoustics. I carefully hand-draw waveforms, layering them with textures, colors, and emotional tones that reflect the sound’s meaning and mood. Each line, ripple, or curve is a gesture toward understanding the language of whales, and we are only beginning to interpret their language through science and empathy.

My work lives at the intersection of art and advocacy. I believe that visual storytelling can play a critical role in shaping how we connect with and protect the natural world. Through Whale Sounds on a Canvas and its evolving series, I aim to raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation, the richness of whale culture, and the urgent need to listen to both the science and the silence.