Intersections of education, art, and creativity: An Inspiring Interview with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aysun Cançat

Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA) continues to closely follow the academic and artistic production processes of its faculty members. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aysun Cançat, one of our valuable faculty members, discussed her journey in art and academia, her philosophical approaches, and her current artistic projects in a comprehensive interview featured in the 64th issue of the FFA E-Bulletin.
A Journey from Childhood Passion to Academia
Cançat stated that her introduction to art dates back to her childhood. She explained that after studying Fashion Design, which she entered through an aptitude test, her desire to paint freely led her to Marmara University's Painting Department. Her decision to become an academician intersected with an offer for a Research Assistant position during her Master's studies in Art Management at Istanbul Kültür University.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aysun Cançat: "The psychology created by the opportunity to receive university education in fine arts, after never taking painting lessons in my primary school years, was extraordinary for me. My path to becoming an academician essentially started there."
Social Content and Philosophical Depth in Artistic Production
Emphasizing that she cannot remain detached from current world issues in her artistic production, Cançat noted that her works address socially relevant topics such as human wars, ecological imbalance, consumer culture, and gender discrimination. The artist stated that she often perceives this system as a "constructed and implemented matrix," and this perception creates vital traces on the surface of her paintings.
Providing information about her recent exhibitions, Cançat mentioned that her current exhibition, "Anecdotes with Umbrellas", emerged following her "Cynic Nature" exhibition, which was inspired by Cynicism philosophy.
The Umbrella Metaphor in "Anecdotes with Umbrellas" Exhibition
The artist shared the manifesto for her latest solo exhibition, "Anecdotes with Umbrellas," which can be visited at Istanbul Pinelo Art Gallery between October 17-27, 2025. She recalled that the umbrella was historically a symbol of nobility, distinction, and even represented the ruler and the ruled.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aysun Cançat:  "In the paintings, the use of the umbrella with images related to women is metaphorical. I can say that the existence of women and the nobility of nature meet in the protective shadow of the umbrella form. This also serves as a response to the patriarchal society and understanding inherited from the past."
Advice for Young Artist Candidates
Addressing young art and design students at the end of the interview, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cançat stressed that they should not allow difficulties to affect their professional motivation.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aysun Cançat:  "They should always aim to be the best in their field... They should seize every opportunity that comes their way for their development, pursue it relentlessly, and never forget that the foundation of everything is 'hard work.'"
As Istanbul Gelisim University Faculty of Fine Arts, we thank Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aysun Cançat for this delightful and informative interview and wish her continued success in her academic and artistic endeavors.