Image courtesy of Gizem Karayavuz

Interview: Gizem Karayavuz

Gizem Karayavuz and Luca Curci’s conversation about Pixels of Identites – Istanbul.

Gizem Karayavuz worked as a financial advisor for three years before she applied for the fine arts university. She decided to make his childhood dream come true, so applied to the Turkey-Istanbul Marmary University Fine Arts Faculty painting department Tayfun Erdogmus studio, won 2008, and graduated 2012. She now has an artistic partnership with her writer friend Emre Karacaoglu. Gizem currently lives and works in Istanbul.

Image courtesy of Gizem Karayavuz

Luca Curci – Your work has just been exhibited during Pixels of Identities in Istanbul: can you talk about your personal experience in Istanbul with International ArtExpo?

Gizem Karayavuz – I am in awe and so happy to see such kind amazing and artistic people! The art works and personalities are so beautiful and artistic. The gallery’s choices as well were wonderful! The Istanbul exhibition gallery in my city is one of the most unique and successful galleries and was a perfect choice by the It’s Liquid team! The artists works, It’s Liquid curator Luca Curci, and gallery personnel fit and worked together perfectly like a puzzle.

L. C. – Can you talk about the artwork you presented in Istanbul? How is it linked with the festival’s theme?

G. K. – The artwork I presented at Mixer consists in a 3 digital art created by layers, like memory pieces coming together in out mind. They are my inner thoughts, dreams, hopes or fears. Everything I cannot say, I say through my art. It can be called Hidden identity comes through from my art. I think that Pixels of identities was a perfect opportunity for me to present everything I am as an artist and as an everyday woman living in Istanbul.

Image courtesy of Gizem Karayavuz

L. C. – What are you currently working on?

G. K. – I aim to have a solo exibition about images that instigate feelings regarding psychoses, especially regarding memory and memory loss. Maybe an image that you will never forget or an image that will bring you back a moment that you never could forget. Besides good, joyful and nice, I intend to provoke feelings that are inexplicable and that stir something different in you. I am trying to create my new pictures as a memory pieces.

L. C. – What is art for you?

G. K. – Art is for me take a real deep breath. I felt the same for myself since my childhood.  And now ı know art has the power to influence the hearts and minds of people. Arts are the pictures of souls healing endlessly, like magical helpers of hard times. It makes memories of expectations. Even it is about real pain or real happiness. You change the colours of reality with every touch, your brush or pencil above the papers or hands above the screen, always trying to change the real scenes according to your souls eyes. In a struggle, our brain needs to run away to a kinder way, because our souls need to feel elegance, like your body resting in a beautiful dream while sleeping. When we wake up all we should feel is happiness inside. Art makes you dream while you’re awake.

Image courtesy of Gizem Karayavuz

L. C. – What do you think about International ArtExpo organization?

G. K. – I always think art is meaningful and precious when it can be shared. ArtExpo helps artists to make their arts even more meaningful and precious. ArtExpo did everything so kindly, they were very interested and caring even during the time of the exhibition. Since I have met them, all I can say is how very happy I am to have met you!

L. C. – Do you think International ArtExpo organization can represent an opportunity for artists?

G. K. – As an artist that lives in Istanbul, it is clear to see your gallery choices in my country already shows what a great opportunity to represent our arts in the best way. Thank you so much for everything dear Luca Curci and ArtExpo!