1. Where were you born and where are you from ?

I was born and raised in Izmir. I moved to Istanbul for university and after living in Istanbul for 16 years, I am going back to Izmir again. 

2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?

In my childhood, I was always inclined to create. This first showed in my interest in fashion,  redesigning my clothes and accessories. Our home was always filled with some kind of production and I believe the biggest influence in developing this curiosity was my family: my father and his experiments, my talented mother, and my sister with her beautiful drawings.

3. Have you always worked in the art/design field ?

Before establishing my own brand, I had two work experiences in the design field where I was involved in the design process and brought my ideas to life. However, I felt I couldn’t fully express myself or develop my skills. I realized that starting my own business would give me the freedom to fully express my creativity. Thus, in 2015, I began creating my own brand.

4. What led you to the design creation ?

I can say it’s the excitement of seeing the ideas that come to my mind concretely. And definitely,  my curiosity. 

5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?

Inspiration comes in different forms at different times for me. Sometimes, an abstract painting  vividly pops up in my mind in 3D, while other times, I contemplate what I can create with a  new material I’ve encountered. And I immediately put what’s in my head onto paper. I always  archive my sketches. I never forget the advice my father gave me: ‘Never throw away any  sketch, even if it’s just a doodle or a silly idea. Its time may not have come yet. After a while,  take them all out and look again, you might see something entirely different.’ That’s what I do.  I regularly review my sketches.

6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?

I don’t have a specific working method where I set boundaries for myself. If I don’t specifically need to be in the studio or office, I can work anytime, anywhere. Lately, I’ve been working on my upcoming pieces and mostly doing some surface applications in the studio.

7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?

I prefer working with natural materials. I enjoy understanding the nature of the material and contemplating the possibilities it offers. I love the flexibility of wood, the surprises of metal, and the quality of stone.

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

The most fundamental aspect of my works lies in the emphasis I place on craftsmanship and  my choice of materials. I had a tendency to play with geometric forms in terms of shape, and  many of my designs reflect this approach. However, currently, I am shifting towards working  with more organic forms. This shift is a reflection of my pursuit of a more natural and fluid aesthetic in my designs. Interlocking natural forms enrich the texture and aesthetics of my  works, and I believe this will open up a new dimension in my artistic expression. 

9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?

As an industrial designer, understanding, embracing, and expressing sculptural furniture design took me a long time. I am still striving to understand it better and convey it effectively. A sculptural piece of furniture doesn’t need to serve different functions beyond its main purpose.  As you load too much meaning onto the design piece, you might stray away from art. It’s  important to approach design with an open mind and not to latch onto the first idea that  comes to mind. Another crucial aspect is the craftsmanship that will elevate that design idea to  the next level.

10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?

I don’t think my work belongs to a specific design movement. I enjoy being versatile and  drawing inspiration from diversity. I find similarities with my approach in many design  movements. Even though my interests constantly change over time, I can say that I have a  particular interest in Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau.

11. What designers and artists have influenced you ?

Afra&Tobia Scarpa, Carlo Scarpa, Gae Aulenti, Charlotte Perriand 

12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

There are many but the first ones that come to my mind are; Vincenzo Cotiis, Ingrid Donat,  Mathieu Lehanneur, Emmanuelle Simon, Casey Mccafferty

13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?

Antoni Tapies, Saloua Raouda, Eduardo Chillida  

14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?

Respectful to materials.

Proust Questionnaire with very short answers (one or a few words) :
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust. Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde, Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)