ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
In pursuit of life
We talked to Aslı Özok, whose work "Istanbul" sold 44 more than it’s estimate at Artam Auction, about her artistic life, her work abroad, and her new projects.
"My paintings change with me. It is possible to see the places I've been, the people I've met, and the period I've lived through in my paintings. I believe that all the cities I've lived in have liberated me as an artist."
Aslı Özok, whose passion for art began in her childhood at her grandfather's workshop, shares her creations with art enthusiasts in various parts of the world. Currently residing in London, Özok continues her journey in the international arena,
"This is a long journey, and being on the road is more valuable than reaching the destination. I have always aimed to be an international artist. My first goal was New York. During the years I lived in Spain, I organized exhibitions throughout Europe. I participated in exhibitions, symposiums, and biennials in Korea, Tokyo, Singapore, and the Philippines. I have always been involved with foreign collectors and galleries." Özok describes her artistic journey.
“It’s a long road, and being on the road is more valuable than reaching the goal. I have always aimed to be an international artist. My first destination was New York. When I lived in Spain for many years, I organised exhibitions all over Europe. I took part in exhibitions, symposiums and biennials in Korea, Tokyo, Singapore and the Philippines. Always with foreign collectors and galleries.” Explains it in words. We listened to Özok’s adventure in art.
Can you tell us about your introduction to art and your early experiences with painting?
My introduction to art began in my childhood in my grandfather's studio. He was one of the first teachers of the Republic era. He was a founding professor at Tarsus American and TED; he had written many books on painting and technical drawing. He had also taught at Gazi University and the Academy of Fine Arts. I grew up in his studio. Painting is my way of existing and creating in life, it is my freedom of expression... I think that summarizes my relationship with painting for as long as I have known myself.
You have been to many cities such as New York, Barcelona, London. How did these cities reflect on your artistic production?
My paintings change with me. It is possible to see the places I have been, the people I have met, and the period I have lived through my paintings. I believe that all the cities I have lived in have liberated me as an artist. I am an artist who thrives with good exhibitions and art pieces. My greatest luxury in London is being able to step out of my studio and see the artwork of any artist on museum or gallery walls and communicate with them. I always come to the conclusion that art is limitless, and it is the artist who has limits. This continues to motivate me.
Can you explain the elements that feed your work and the concepts that define your work?
I draw inspiration from life. I observe people and events. Every painting has a story. I follow the world agenda - I’m a good newsreader. Everything passes through my filter and finds expression on the canvas. My paintings are very symbolic. For me, the bond I establish with each viewer is different. Concepts change according to the spirit of the period, and I always prepare a new series for each exhibition.
As an artist who produces internationally, how do you position your work in the global art market?
This is a long journey, and being on the road is more valuable than reaching the destination. I have always aimed to be an international artist. My first goal was New York. During the years I lived in Spain, I organized exhibitions throughout Europe. I participated in exhibitions, symposiums, and biennials in Korea, Tokyo, Singapore, and the Philippines. I have always been involved with foreign collectors and galleries. I started working in London and New York in 2016. Since then, I have had my studio and home in London under the special designation of "exceptional talent" given by the British Art Council since 2018.
I am an artist who travels extensively for art. Being at the center allows international collectors, galleries, and auction houses to easily reach me.
In your artworks, fish and human figures appear side by side. What does this symbolize in your art?
The barcode symbol, which I have been using since the beginning of my career and is still present in my works, is the most important plastic element of my art. I have always been interesting by optical art as a form. Finding a style in the field of painting is a cornerstone of a young artists career. My process started by writing first, working on the concept and then the content emerged. Then one day, while I was washing my brushes, I saw the barcode form on a label stuck on the faucet. For me, content and form found each other there. he barcode symbolizes important concepts of this century, such as identity, belonging, and consumption. Fish shoals represent the herd behavior of people within the consumerist world. Based on this, I wrote my master's thesis on "OpArt and Bridget Riley" and my proficiency thesis on "The Place of Barcode as a Symbol in Contemporary Art."
Can you tell us the story behind your artwork that combines the figures of Hagia Sophia and the iconic themes of New York?
I studied fresco and mosaic as my second major. During my doctoral studies, I was involved in the Italian restoration project and the writing of the book on Hagia Sophia mosaics. It has been an incredible experience for me. When I went to New York, I saw that brands had become new icons. In my artwork, I combined the different surfaces to merge both periods in parallel reality. The exhibition was first held in Istanbul and then in Florence, Spain, and Lisbon. It found its place in significant collections.
Can you talk about the narratives reflected on the canvas through the female figures at the center of your paintings?
In the "Garden of Armina" series, the women do not have faces and symbolise the concepts of justice, democracy and peace from history. Another plastic element, the Twitter symbol, entered my paintings at that time. The female figure in the democracy series represents the most important symbol of free communication and self-expression. I used it in conjunction with justice. Depicting the place of women in society and within the family, I painted them in these gardens by using motifs from local headscarves and scarves, abstracting them.
The Swarovski beads that make up the Twitter logo on my paintings relate to the beads that border the local scarves. In the portraits, the women are reflected on my canvas with their identities and spirits. I did portraits of many important female characters.which are included in major private collections. Some of these portrait subjects have been portrayed by other artists in art history.
In your "Iconos" series, you combined famous women figures in the art world with the figure of Virgin Mary. How did you decide to create this series, and what does it represent in your artistic life? Can you explain?
I moved to Spain during the Hagia Sophia exhibition and started painting there. At that time, I observed that the presence and power of women there were related to the image of the Virgin Mary and the fact that the first female figure in art history appeared in icons as the Virgin Mary. My Barcode series and Hagia Sophia series came together in my "iconos" series. With the series of iconos, the figure of the Virgin Mary transforms into the contemporary woman, the brands shaping our identity, and the convergence of all these with the symbol of barcode, all these concepts that then met on my canvas. I submitted my work on this topic to the university in Spain as a post-doctoral thesis. I also presented my work on this subject as a post-doctoral thesis at a university in Spain. I have now started using geometric forms and optical illusions from Andalusian ceramics. Consumerist imagery and logos in the Iconos series are also reflected in my work, taking inspiration from the repetitive forms of Andalusian ceramics.
You also incorporate elements of popular culture in your artworks. What aspects of popular culture nourish your artistic work?
I draw inspiration from the world agenda, history, art history, mythology, and contemporary art. In fact, everything related to humans is completed with me as an individual and with the whole.
Your works are offered for sale at famous auction houses worldwide like Christie's, Sotheby's. How do collectors approach your works?
It is imperative to me because many collectors have gotten to know me through my paintings and have included them in their collections. My auction exhibitions took place in London and New York. It is essential for international collectors to attend exhibitions and events held during the exhibition period, which coincides with the fairs. Some incredible works can only be seen in these exhibitions. All my auctions have been very successful.I coincidentally participated in two separate auctions during the same period.
Studio visits are very important; some very valuable people visit my workshop, both gallerists and collectors. This is very important for an artist to show their works in progress and their working studio. These are great motivations for an artist, but the reality is to work, be modest, and be realistic. The journey is long, and I am always grateful.
Your artwork titled "Istanbul" found its buyer after receiving 44 bids at the auction organized by Artam. What are your thoughts on this event? Could you tell us about this artwork?
This work is from my series depicting people and shoals of fish is an example of one of the first times I used figures in the barcodes. It is a painting I made before Spain. The painting shows a redfish leading in the shoal of fish. One of my favourite pieces. Since I have been focused on the international platform for a long time, my paintings have been appreciated in different circles. Of course, I have collectors in Turkey that I love, value, follow and support me. Every painting has its own destiny, and they are your children, even if they go to other houses, your hand is behind them, your eyes are on them; I am so glad that when they go to a new home, it's very wanted. Although the current value of my paintings is quite different, I consider it a success for Turkey, and I am very thankful for the interest.
When you think about your works from past to present, at which point do you criticise yourself?
I try to do my best at all times. The best I can do depends on the situation. My painting titled "Transport" from the pre-pandemic Barcode series was included in the permanent collection of the Royal National Maritime Museum. "Queen's House" is also exhibited at the British Modern Art Gallery. This painting was one of my first works featuring barcodes. During my undergraduate years, while commuting to the studio by ferry, I got off at Haydarpaşa, took pictures, and made sketches there. It was in my diploma exhibition. We never know the big picture. So my attitude is
"I try to do my best in every period. The best I can do depends on the situation. One should not say what something will be, but always be grateful and continue.
Do you have any upcoming projects in the near future?
I was working on a large exhibition in London, but life came to a halt. However, I didn't stop during this period and held two online exhibitions, which turned out to be fantastic. I have been planning to create sculptures for a long time. Now, I am working non-stop on both the sculpture project and the exhibition agenda in London since Fairs and exhibitions have resumed. Having spent a lot of time in my studio, I have expanded the space. If you come to London, you can see. I will wait for you.