Gülcihan Özgüç

In the heart of Istanbul, the 24-year-old Gülcihan Özgüç channels the soul of her city into art. Growing up with a mix of historical, modern, colorful streets and areas led her to graphic design. She started to create artworks as a hobby, and over time she felt the need to bring the aesthetics of her mind to the outside.

We were really interested in hearing more about what inspires her in her art making…

When do you feel the most creative?

Well, my inspirations come in the middle of the night like 3 am? Joke aside, I feel most creative whenever I travel in the city, see aesthetic places, or when I examine aesthetic designs. When midnight has passed, all my inspirations start to come out as artwork.

What are your artistic influences and what inspires your expression?

I am so impressed by the Ottoman Empire Tiles and the art of it. The harmony of shapes, figures, and colors in this 1000-year-old art impresses me every time I examine it. I am also inspired by the works of Vincent van Gogh. His bold use of color and expressive brushstrokes give me unique feelings.

Ultimately, my expression is a reflection of my inner world, shaped by the myriad influences that surround me. My city, works of other artists, past and present, whose creativity is an endless sky full of stars and elegant moon, the movie that I watched, the music that I listened to and surround me with, are full of emotions. And again, everything aesthetic inspires me.

"When I created Musician Guy I, it was midnight again. I just wanted to portray emotions, and characteristics from different cultures."

What does a day in your life look like?

A typical day in my life is a blend of routine and responsibilities, shaped by my various commitments and interests. And I am the eldest daughter of my house. It should tell you that this is a sufficient adjective to describe the whole big picture of my responsibilities.

Can you please tell the story behind your series with musicians?

My Musician Guys... When I created Musician Guy I, it was midnight again. I just wanted to portray emotions, and characteristics from different cultures. He tries to entertain and do his job in his own world, with aesthetic and harmonized colors, textures, and patterns. Then I wanted to continue as a series and started to do it with different instruments and nationalities, representing different feelings with colors, positions, instruments, textures, and patterns.

I never thought that this series would take that much attention. But I am happy that people like them and I assume they feel a connection with any of my Musician Guys. I hope my art fills their aesthetic emotions.