Research Assistant Dr. Ceren İren, a faculty member in the Department of Graphic Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Istanbul Gelişim University, was a guest speaker at an art talk held at Açı Schools. The event, organized under the theme “Meeting with the Artist,” brought Dr. İren together with students to share insights into her artistic practice. At the heart of her presentation was the concept of drawing inspiration from nature, with a particular focus on the role of insects in artistic creativity.
Dr. İren emphasized that she approaches insects not merely as aesthetic objects but as part of an intellectual connection with nature. She explained that in her artistic practice, she draws on both the formal characteristics of insects and their life cycles and behavioral patterns—an approach that, according to her, builds a bridge between art and science.
Throughout the event, Dr. İren showed the children various drawing samples and explained microscopic details of certain insect species, illustrating how observing nature can transform an artist’s perspective. The young students’ curiosity and active participation made the session highly engaging and interactive.
At the end of the event, the children had the opportunity to create their own insect illustrations, experiencing a hands-on artistic process. Açı Schools administrators emphasized how important such encounters are for the creative development of students.
This inspiring meeting between art and nature left a lasting impression on both students and educators. Dr. Ceren İren was thanked for her valuable contributions.
