gözde çöklü

Your name
Gözde Çöklü
Place of birth
Bandırma/Turkey
Place where you live now
Eskisehir/Turkey
3 words to describe you
Empathetic, handy, funny
Why do you take pictures?
Taking pictures or making art always seems to me like a rebellious act and I use photography as one of the ways of painting. The photos I take in their raw form never give me satisfaction so by using photos I am creating an image that is different from reality. It feels like playing a game where I set the rules
Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from everyday life, nature, art and popular culture. Ordinary people, an ordinary street, a photo that I like on IG, everything in my daily life can be my inspiration. And also for inspiration, being a witness to the time we live in is very important to me. I must know what is going on around me and in the world. This encourages me to produce more.
Who are your influences?
Books and all women artists
What determines the subject matter you choose?
People are generally at the center of my works, because knowing that people have lives, pain and joy like me brings me closer to life and gives me a reason to make more art.
What impact would you like your art to have?
I want to bring people closer to art. I want to tell you that art is not just for galleries and a small number of people. That's why I'm handling topics that are familiar to everyone.
What artwork do you never get bored with?
I admire the works of all women artists. If there is courage, hard work and sensitivity, I will never get bored.
Is there anything you want to add?
Art is everywhere we just need to see it.

Balcony
Project statement

While creating these collages, taking inspiration from everyday life, I wanted to show how the dynamics of time and life change in the same space, from the same point of view. During the quarantine period, my balcony has been my only place to observe the outside world. Apart from its vital function of providing air and sun, my balcony allowed me to perceive other people's lives in a different way. The neighborhood I live in is a mixed place where some children, old people, young people and students are. Therefore, I had the opportunity to see many people from my balcony throughout the day.