We often find ourselves mentally living outside of our real physical environment. As women, we have been stuck in concepts such as alienation, estrangement, displacement, and consumption. Interior Architect and Painter Gözde Yüksel describes this chaos in life by painting. Focusing on painting the urban spaces where consumption culture becomes widespread, Yüksel says, “What we consume in the name of more happiness, the relationships of people with each other, the damage on nature we cause and their psychological effects take a place in my paintings.”

EKİM ZEYNEP YAĞMUR

Ankara - Interior Architect and Painter Gözde Yüksel describes the chaos, capitalism, and the spirits stuck in cities, fiction, nature, love, life, marginalization, alienation, new and old concepts in her paintings. We interview Gözde about her life story.

How did your story with painting start? Could you tell us about yourself?

I graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design at Başkent University in 2010. After graduating from university, I worked on the design and interior design projects for various companies. I have worked on my own design studies in my studio in Ankara since 2014.

“Making my voice heard through paintings makes me feel good”

I attended various artists' workshops and had the opportunity to work with them. During that period, I focused more on painting and also on my own special designs. I created architectural illustrations in my first works. I think I have become experienced by using different materials and techniques. I love the effect of architecture in paintings so I researched the urban fabric and drew it.  I can say that I combined the architecture with the people walking in my dream cities.

Then, I placed women in cities in my following works. I developed this project based on both my story and the stories of women around me. I think, as women, we come together because we have common experiences and maybe we are subjected to the same behaviors. Making my voice heard through paintings makes me feel good because I care a lot about women's solidarity.

“We will make the children’s dream cities come true in the streets”

 I give painting and design lessons to adults and children. I organize courses for the students of fine arts high schools and interior architecture departments. Apart from my own architectural projects, I work with art centers and I also work as a visual art teacher. I am one of those who believe that every drawing has a story. I also get inspiration from the children. Dreaming about the characters of stories and playing games with children make me happy.

“We will make the world a better place”

What we consume in the name of more happiness, the relationships of people with each other, the damage on nature we cause and their psychological effects take a place in my paintings. Last May, I organized an exhibition called ‘Timeless’ and I represented the negative life culture, alienation, capitalism, and chaos in my works.

Which artists influence you while doing your work?

I follow many architects, painters, sculptors, and urban planners. I like the works of Henri Matisse, Monet, Gauguın and Van Gogh, and Le Corbusier. Painter Hale Asaf, Fahrelnisa Zeid, and Fikret Mualla are among the artists who impress me.