Isin Sezgi Avci
1. Where were you born and where are you from ?
I’m originally from Istanbul, Turkey, and that’s where I grew up – surrounded by the energy of the city and the beauty of the Bosphorus. But, you know, life takes unexpected turns. In June 2023, I made a big change and moved to the quiet countryside in Izmir. Now, I’m all about enjoying the slow pace of life.
2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?
When I was around 4 or 5, I discovered a pencil drawing my mom had created of my dad – it was truly impressive and detailed. That moment left a lasting ‘wow’ impression on me. However, my most profound art experience happened when I was selected to join the State Symphony Children’s Orchestra. During lecture breaks, I’d dash to the back curtain of grand performances like ‘The Nutcracker.’ There, with wide-open amazement, I’d watch the incredible ballerinas. That, for me, was the true, overwhelming moment of art appreciation.
3. Have you always worked in the art/design field ?
Yes, I have always worked in art and design. I studied interior architecture, and right after graduating, I worked as an architect for more than 10 years, mostly in hotels and residences. After 2018, I got into furniture design. While working for big companies during the day, I also took sculpture classes at night to create my own artistic shapes. Eventually, I took the plunge and I decided to start my own business.
4. What led you to the design creation ?
Well, it’s more about what I couldn’t resist – the magnetic pull of design. Even though I was good at math and science and I initially planned to be a mechanical engineer, my heart was always in art, music, and theater. In the last week of my university application, I decided to follow my passion and switched to studying interior architecture. The cool thing is, with interior architecture, I get to blend science and design together!
5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?
My creative process is inspired by nature, especially organisms. I’ve studied biology, and I love using biomimicry in my designs, which is about taking ideas from how things work in nature. When I create something, I always explore how organisms function, adapting their features to my designs while considering both form and function.
6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?
Typically, I start early, handling paperwork, emails, and laptop-based marketing tasks, along with meetings from the comfort of my home. Around noon, I make my way to the workshop. There, I kick off by preparing my clay, tidying up the workspace, and then dedicating the rest of the day to working on my pieces. When I’m working on a specific piece, I often need to let it dry after adding a few layers of clay, so I utilize that time to either work on another piece or organize the workshop. Some days take me out of the office entirely—I might drive to the industrial part of the city to gather materials or visit other suppliers for my projects.
7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?
I first got into ceramics during a weekend sculpture workshop. While I was doing architecture, I mostly used wood and fabric. I tried ceramics just to see how it felt to shape something in 3D with my hands. It’s delicate when you’re working with it and firing it, and it’s a bit tricky for furniture, but ceramics really captured the expressions I wanted in my designs, even more than I expected. The texture, natural feel, and eco-friendly nature of ceramics fit perfectly with what I aim for in my designs. I initially aimed to work with recycled plastic before ceramics, and it’s still on my schedule. I believe that creating furniture and art from recycled plastic is a meaningful way to contribute to saving the world by storing it in a useful and purposeful manner.
8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?
My creations involve a detailed process. I mainly use ceramics, which requires precision in shaping and firing. Each piece is carefully crafted, with intricate layers and forms. I also put real effort into using the right accessories, ensuring that every detail complements the overall design.
9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?
For those starting in sculptural design, my advice is simple: be patient and take action. Don’t let procrastination take over. There will be moments of doubt, but if your heart is set on this path, go for it. According to Dr. Phil Stutz, there are three aspects of reality: pain, uncertainty, and constant work. Remember, in life, these are certain. It’s crucial to choose the path you’re ready to walk and commit to it.
10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?
If I had to pick a design movement for my works, I’d say they align with Organic Design. I take a lot of inspiration from nature, and my pieces reflect the beauty and flow found in the natural world. It’s about blending functionality with artistic expression, creating designs that feel harmonious with nature.
11. What designers and artists have influenced you ?
Some quick names that come to mind are Mies van der Rohe, Alexander Girard, Rachael Armstrong, Neri Oxman, Henry Moore, Isamu Noguchi, Iris Van Herpen.
12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?
Names that stand out to me in quick thinking are Jasper Morrison, Chris Wolston, and The New Raw. I’m sure I’ll remember many more after this interview – the design world is full of inspiring talents!
13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?
I get inspiration from things like music, nature, and ballet. One artist I really admire is Iris Van Herpen. Her dresses always amaze and surprise me.
14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?
Organic elegance
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…)
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Embracing peaceful moments
2. What is your greatest fear?
The loss of loved ones
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Holding myself back
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Hatred and the act of separating people
5. Which living person do you most admire?
Not one person but all people with a good heart and a desire to contribute to the world
6. What is your greatest extravagance?
Gifts for friends
7. What is your current state of mind?
Excited
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Righteousness
9. What is the quality you most like in a man ?
A heartfelt laughter
10. What is the quality you most like in a woman ?
Intelligence
11. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Absolutely!
12. Which talent would you most like to have?
Mastery in all sports
13. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would love and appreciate myself more
14. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Building my own business and fostering great family and friends
15. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
The ocean
16. Where would you most like to live?
By the sea and forest with friends
17. What is your most treasured possession?
My family
18. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Harming others in the name of self-interest
19. What is your favorite occupation?
Playing games with friends
20. What is your most marked characteristic?
Dedication
21. What do you most value in your friends?
Trust and compassion
22. Who are your favorite writers?
Alain de Botton, William Golding, Viktor Frankl, Haruki Murakami
23. Who is your hero of fiction?
Xena
24. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
I guess I don’t have one
25. Who are your heroes in real life?
My husband
26. What are your favorite names?
Aurora
27. What is it that you most dislike?
Selfishness and Lies
28. What is your greatest regret?
I have none
29. How would you like to die?
Without knowing that I am dying
30. What is your motto?
Try to make the best of this life
