MUNTHE ART MONDAY: GAMZE YALCIN

Instagram: @_gamzeyalcin_

Please introduce yourself and tell us about what you do.

I’m an artist based in Berlin, born, and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. I work primarily with painting and big scale mural paintings and installations. My main focus is landscapes, color and texture in an experimental and dreamy way.

At the moment, I’m working for my first solo show called “I believe in Spring” which will take place in Istanbul at the end of April. I’m super excited for this spring!

My artistic practice covers painting, color search and develops from the dream/landscape paradox, shaping unknown/timeless spaces and creating semi-abstract compositions in the form of stories. For me, an art piece usually starts by discovering the surprises of simple forms, nature or texture which I experience in my daily life; these experiences interpreted by my own thoughts and feelings are then translated to my drawing which is the foundation of my practice.

Could you explain more about how being a woman has affected your career?

Being woman and being artist. I feel like that is the best combination of creating. Women create anyhow in any place, in any condition, in any time. Women give birth and as a female artist; we are giving birth to new ideas, new paintings, new exhibitions, anything that we create. I grew up with my parents and three sisters around me, there was always feminine energy in our home and in my circle of friends. Throughout my life I have always felt the support of the women around me. The power of this feminine energy always inspires me in my art practice. My sisters even taught me how to paint when I was a child which I realized now how powerful it is. So, I have always had a strong female support and trust around me and now I spread that support to my environment by producing and sharing.

Can you name some other female (artist) that inspires you and explain why they do so?

There are so many women artists that inspires me a lot. Lee Krasner, Ida Ekblad, Claudia Comte, Emma Webstah, Georgia O’Keeffe and more. I love their way of doing art. Helen Frankenthaler inspires me the most.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being a female artist?

In this sense, I wish there was more space and real support for women artists in the art world. Unfortunately, we still need to work on this issue, gender equality. At the same time the aspect of being a woman artist is actually the greatest advantage in my world. Just being woman, being creative, being on action. The world needs this, I’m happy that I’m a female artist, everyday I wake up to create full of joy.

What would you like people to notice in your artwork?

The world needs more harmony, peace, and positivity. I want people to notice the joy of life in my painting with colors, shapes, and texture. Getting action, feeling power, moving forward, uplifting energy.

Gamze is wearing our Jalcoso bodystocking, Jilav pants and Jitterbug shirt.