1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to us?
Hello, I am Serap Erdoğan, a second-year student in the Communication and Design Department. I was born on December 7, 1968, in Istanbul, and I am a painter. My journey with painting began during my elementary school years when my teacher recognized my talent and supported me. I held my first exhibition at the age of nine. Later, I pursued applied painting education and participated in numerous competitions, earning several awards, with those from the Republic of Turkey being the most valuable.
After completing my education, I specialized in textile fabric pattern design. I completed my internship in this field and later established my own studio, where I designed patterns for leading textile companies in Turkey, including meter fabrics, scarves, swimsuits, bikinis, and ties. After the birth of my children, I shifted my focus to overglaze porcelain pattern design. I collaborated with award-winning artists in Turkey and worldwide, participated in many exhibitions, and contributed to various institutional publications.
For the past eight years, I have been teaching overglaze porcelain pattern design at my own studio. Recently, I have returned to creating canvas paintings and aim to reach a wider audience by participating in two exhibitions and one art fair annually.
2. What does showcasing your work at the Istanbul Art and Antiques Fair mean to you? Could you tell us about the fair and your artworks?
This is my first time participating in the Istanbul Art and Antiques Fair. Events like these are incredibly important platforms for artists to connect with a broader audience. While we have a presence in media and digital platforms, face-to-face interaction with people, exchanging ideas about my work, and receiving feedback is invaluable to me. It provides inspiration for my future creations.
At the fair, I am exhibiting three pieces. Two of them are created using oil painting techniques, while the third employs mixed techniques. This fair offers me a meaningful opportunity to establish a deeper connection with my audience and to introduce myself and my art.
3. What are you trying to convey through your artworks? What are your sources of inspiration?
In my artworks, I create abstract forms and shapes with profound subtexts beyond their visual appearance. Meeting people through exhibitions and listening to their interpretations of these subtexts is incredibly important to me. Their insights, expressions, and appreciation become my greatest sources of inspiration for future works.
My interest in art began during my childhood. Since then, my goal has been to convey different emotions and thoughts to people through my art. Each exhibition is a new journey of discovery for me.
4. Does studying Communication and Design contribute to or influence your art?
Absolutely. Studying Communication and Design has been a valuable experience for me. I entered this program with great enthusiasm because adapting to the modern era and accessing accurate information are only possible through education. The digital design knowledge I have gained during this process allows me to take my abstract works to a different level. I plan to use technology in the future to create and showcase more innovative designs and works.
Additionally, the communication aspect of my studies has greatly supported my art. Being able to establish meaningful dialogues with people, articulate my work effectively, and express myself clearly has been a significant advantage.
5. What would you recommend for students to enhance both their academic and artistic development?
First and foremost, I recommend that they discover themselves. It is crucial to understand their talents or areas of interest and then develop themselves accordingly. They should pursue education in areas they are passionate about. However, in today’s world, expertise in only one field is not sufficient. Acquiring knowledge in complementary fields is essential.
I also advise them to always prioritize love and respect. These virtues form the foundation of our existence. Without love and respect, it is difficult to sustain success or commitment to any endeavor. Therefore, I believe that students should keep these values at the forefront of their academic and artistic journeys.
