10 Questions with Aysegul Demir Tatar
Aysegul, born in 1991 in Mersin, is a Türkiye-based artist. She completed her art education at Sakarya University. In 2021, she began working as an art teacher at a public school. Due to the responsibilities of motherhood, she experienced a more introspective period. However, she continued her artistic production even during this time. Since her student years, Aysegul has participated in numerous exhibitions and workshops. The artist continues to be featured in both national and international exhibitions.
Aysegul Demir Tatar - Portrait
ARTIST STATEMENT
Aysegul focuses on the imagery of mountains in her artworks. She portrays mountains on canvas both as massive forms and as abstract pieces. Just as mountains have continued to form from the past to the present, Aysegul connects with them as a means of expression in her artistic journey. For the artist, mountains can transform into any form of expression. Sometimes, they reference a movie scene, while other times, they reflect the emotions evoked by an opera. They may represent the unattainable, or they may depict the transformation of color into form. Aysegul works with various mediums, including oil paint, watercolor, charcoal, and printmaking, enjoying the unique language and texture each material offers. In each piece, she enriches her creative expression by using different techniques and methods according to the nature of the material and the thematic content of the work. Through this diversity, Aysegul aims to bring both technical and expressive depth to her works.
Untitled 1, Oil on canvas, 30x30 cm, 2024 © Aysegul Demir Tatar
INTERVIEW
First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. Who are you, and how would you describe yourself as an artist?
Hello, I'm Ayşegül. I was born in Türkiye and studied at the Faculty of Art Design and Architecture at Sakarya University. As an artist, I constantly learn through reading, researching, observing, and reflecting deeply on these experiences. My thoughts typically start to take shape after prolonged periods of work. Much like the complex structure of mountains formed over time, my artistic creations continuously evolve through long-term contemplation. Inspired by the natural evolution of mountains, I strive to develop myself at every step of my creative journey.
Can you tell us about your journey in art from your early education at Sakarya University to your current master's studies?
My bachelor's education at Sakarya University allowed me to learn both the technical and theoretical aspects of art. I feelvery fortunate to have had the opportunity to question, understand, and develop myself in the studios of my esteemed professors. Additionally, I discovered new methods and materials through the workshops I attended. This process enabled me to diversify my artistic expression and educate myself in different disciplines. During my master's degree, the literature reviews I conducted exposed me to many artists and their works. I find this crucial for developing my artistic perspective. By focusing on new projects and conducting in-depth research, I aim to advance myself further in this journey.
Untitled 2, Oil on canvas, 30x30 cm, 2024 © Aysegul Demir Tatar
You also published articles on art research. How do these complement your practical work as an artist? Do you find your research inspires or influences your work at all?
As an artist influenced by mountains, I have many unique references in the history of art to draw inspiration from. Trying to understand artists from different periods and approaching their works from various perspectives provides me with a profound philosophical foundation. My research opens new doors and makes me ask new questions about my portrayal of mountains. The articles I co-authored during my master's studies emerged from seeking answers to these questions. This academic process has enriched my artistic practice and helped me develop a deeper understanding of the theme of mountains.
Can you describe your creative process when starting a new painting? Do you have any routine or particular steps you take?
Sometimes, I find myself captivated by a frame in a film or the atmospheric color of a street I walk through. In those moments, I become more introverted and prefer silence, detaching from the outside world. I love going through these deep contemplative processes before taking action. Although these thought processes have become shorter sessions since my little girl came into my life, I can say they still form the initial phase of some of my works. Following this, I proceed to sketching, which plays a crucial role in deciding the medium I will use. Additionally, before starting my work, I ensure that everything is under my control. This sense of control helps me create a safe space where I can detach from the outside world and fully dedicate myself to the artistic process.
The mountain, Fusain and gold leaf on canvas, 60x70 cm, 2020 © Aysegul Demir Tatar
The mountain, Lino printing, 42x58 cm, 2021 © Aysegul Demir Tatar
What inspired you to focus on the imagery of mountains in your artwork?
Mountains, with their formation processes spanning millions of years, are a great source of inspiration for me. The patient and long-term evolution of mountains reminds me that my art should also be in a constant state of evolution.
What symbolic meanings do mountains hold for you, and how do you convey these in your art?
Passion. Passion for something. Think of something you desire intensely. You see it, you feel its presence, but you can never fully experience it. It's a kind of "passion for the unattainable." I position that desire as a mountain. Like a distant mountain, I feel its presence, but I have not yet reached or experienced it. There are many things I wish to experience, and these become a part of my art. I express my desires through mountains. Sometimes, I create abstract pieces, and other times, I depict mountains in their raw form. When I represent mountains with their towering peaks and massive forms, they symbolize goals that are difficult to reach. But abstract forms are my way of dispersing uncontrollable desires onto the canvas. This expresses the complexity and unattainability of my desires. Besides, abstract forms can convey very different things: a street I pass through, a scene from a film I've watched, an aria from an opera I've listened to, or sometimes just a cement factory with its gloomy and large structure. Anything that causes me to pause in the moment can become a painting. This realm is where I feel the most free and where I explore my creative boundaries the widest. Through abstract forms, I express the ordinary yet impactful moments of daily life, allowing me to deepen both personally and artistically.
The city and the mountain series, Oil on canvas, Diptych, 70x100 cm each, 2019 © Aysegul Demir Tatar
How do you balance portraying mountains in both their massive forms and as abstract elements, as you mention in your statement?
Depicting mountains in both their massive forms and as abstract elements is like building a bridge between the internal and external worlds. Massive forms remind us of nature's immense and unattainable aspects, while abstract elements allow for a more personal and emotional expression. These emotions can be more turbulent, more uncontrolled, or more serene. Combining these two different approaches helps me to better understand the mountains' physical presence as well as their symbolic and emotional depths.
What themes do you hope viewers contemplate when they engage with your artwork?
I value the concept of distance. By contemplating what is distant, we shape our dreams and desires. This is why I believemy paintings should be viewed from a certain distance, just like observing mountains from afar. I hope this enhances the viewer's depth of engagement with my paintings. While themes such as the unattainability of desires and goals and the reflective processes that this sense of unattainability brings about are prominent, I also enjoy when viewers bring their own interpretations and find their own stories in my paintings.
The streamroller and the violin, Oil on canvas, Triptych, 40x120 cm each, 2020 © Aysegul Demir Tatar
Looking ahead, what new projects or themes are you excited to explore in the future?
I want to focus on printmaking. I particularly enjoy creating prints with metal plates. Engraving images onto the surface of metal plates requires a detailed and meticulous process. This process provides me with both patience and focus.Additionally, the historical and technical richness of engraving fascinates me. Engraving is a completely different means of expression for me, and I am looking forward to a period dedicated to it.
Lastly, what are you working on now? Do you have any upcoming exhibitions or projects you would like to share with our readers?
I will have a solo exhibition soon. The details are not yet determined, but thinking about it excites me. We'll wait and see.
Artist’s Talk
Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.
