Merve Özaslan’s surreal collages are mysterious and awe-inspiring. Beautiful to marvel at, her ingenious creations contain a deeper message. The black and white undercurrent of mechanisation is juxtaposed against the bright and colourful images of nature, exploring the relationship between us as humankind and our environment. It is an environment in which we live but so rarely stop to consider in this ever-changing and modernising world.
I am from Istanbul and in 2010 I graduated from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University as a ceramic artist. I started to design ceramic jewellery and accessories. My ceramic works are featured in renowned magazines such as British Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire. I have been working on collage projects since 2012.
Turkey's contemporary art scene is one of the liveliest in the world. Galvanized by the Istanbul Biennial, the city has witnessed an explosion of commercial galleries allied with an explosion of privately sponsored initiatives.
I have been working on nature-based projects since 2005. This time I wanted to be more critical and my research went in this direction. Collage artists usually use nature and vintage photography but I think my unique style comes from the questions I raise about our relationship with nature. When it comes to inspiration, I like to observe. Sometimes I'm inspired by a friend with a great talent; other times I'm fascinated by a child's imagination. My head is filled with dozens of people. As you can see, my inspirations are humans and nature.
My question is whether the occurrence of mechanisation, urbanisation and greed is overall favourable for humankind or not? I think that mechanisation reduces human sensitivity. By using vintage photographs and photos of nature, I tried to show that we are all part of our own environment.
I just wanted to create some illusion that makes the images more remarkable.
I think old photographs are more sensitive and natural. To tell my story properly, I had to use untouched and honest scenes.
I have to say, I tend to look at lots of photographs in one day. It’s not easy to choose the right one. There are no certain characteristics for me but when I look at the photograph it has to stimulate the thoughts in my head.
It's a city of contradictions and mysteries and the connecting point of so many cultures, people, beliefs and ideas. It's also the perfect combination of sophistication and edginess. İstanbul is so inspirational and magical. I was born and raised here and I found new inspirations every day. That's what influenced me the most.
Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Alexander Calder, Gustav Klimt.
I really want to extend the Natural Act series. After some more of those, I'll open an exhibition one day.
