What do you aim to say by the themes in your art?

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While creating these artworks, my mind is filled with questions. The photos are a
boundary between life and death. After the completion of the artwork, it reaches
the point of becoming an imprint, and it becomes fragments of air. It is my body
between being alive and a ghost, a body in the border of existing. I am intrigued
by memories and our own death, as my mind is filled with questions while
creating these artworks. Where do our memories go after our death? What are
we without our memories or body? Our memories are the shadows of every

person, just like death is a necessary and irreversible ending. I am concerned
about these questions and through my work I try to answer them.

Where does your inspiration come from?

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I grew up with two parents who are photography lovers. For my siblings and me,
my parents’ photo studio was our second home. I watched my parents take so
many photos during work, trips, home occasions, and of every place they have
traveled, that I am unable to remember a single day that they haven’t taken a
photo of me. Also, at the photo studio I watched my parents work on the film
printing procedure. After printing the photos my mother was always scanning the
pictures and saved them by name, place and date, thus making an archive. This
has inspired me to use their photos and create something unique and
contemporary. In addition, I am inspired by so many artists such as Wendelin
Wohlgemuth, photographers such as Francesca Woodman, and movies such as
The silence of the lambs, Shutter Island, and The lighthouse.

Do you have any experiences that have impacted your art?

 

As stated above, the photo archive that my parents created has a direct impact
on my art. I take these family pictures, such as the artwork 25.1999, and create
my own artwork albums. Furthermore, this archive helps me bring back memories
I have forgotten through the years. It helps me understand which of these
memories have faded through the years and why, what are my values as a
person, and which ones made me who I am today. Moreover, the loss of a close
relative further created questions in my mind, such as where did all his memories
go.

Do you feel your art challenges existing barriers?

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It is not an easy process for people to understand and accept the fact that
someday, along with them, all of their memories will ‘disappear’. The barrier of
death and memories is what my art tries to challenge. I have no inclination to
express a clear message to the viewer, as everyone has their own memories and
history. I rather intend to intrigue people and contemplate what they and
their memories will become after death, for themselves, their relatives, partners, and friends.

 What are your long-term artistic goals?

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As an artist, my ambition is to create an impact on people that see my artworks.
My artworks are pieces of my own memories, and with them, I try to intrigue the
viewer. I wish to expand my artistic circle and share my artworks internationally,
to challenge this death and memories barrier that people are confronted with.

 What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

 

Every artist has their own history, memories, difficulties, and way of thinking through
situations. For myself, the black and white artworks are something that was
created after a lot of research, studying, and hours of experimenting. This hard
work led to something that was created with a continuous thought of my own
psychoanalysis and synthesis. An artwork that represents me fully, but that I
never expected or planned what it would be. An album of my own memories in
contemporary art, which helped me understand my past, my history, and my
personality. Therefore, I would advise young artists to find something that would
represent them, to try out different techniques, research hundreds of other artists
and how they fuelled everything into their personal work. Work hard and
experiment with different techniques until they discover something that
represents them, track down what they can improve, and keep doing this same
process. The goal is not what an artist should be aiming for, but the journey to get
there. Art is one of the most difficult professions in my opinion, but at the same
time, it can be very creative and fun, so it should be enjoyed and embraced as a
journey.