Interview with Female Artists from HAZEGALLERY

Interview with Kristina Okan 

PH: What artwork/series of works do you find pivotal for your career? 

KO: I would say it is my Allusions.Formations graphic series. What I did in the period of 2017—2018 defined my entire artistic practice so far. I feel like I have found my voice. Besides, I have realized that the process itself is just as important as the outcome in art. 

PH: How has being a woman affected your career?

KO: Luckily, my gender has never affected my career in neither way. I believe there should always be enough space for both male and female artists on the art scene.

PH: What makes a great artist?

KO: Honesty with yourself. Sensitive interaction with the world. Regular doubting and questioning what you do.

PH: Which other great women artists inspire you and why?

KO: Alicja Kwade is an absolutely mind-blowing artist for me. The way she works with materials such as stone and wood is great and simple and smart and impressive at the same time, it looks like pure magic! Giovanna Garzoni has become my recent discovery: her works are very inspiring because of their mesmerizing quality and a very sensitive admiration of nature they transmit. I also think here of Yayoi Kusama, her parallel universe where you just lose a sense of reality.

PH: What advice would you give to emerging female artists?

KO: Be in contact with your inner voice, never let it down. Always be the best version of yourself.