Aiyana Ku

Year of birth: 1998.
Where do you live: Düsseldorf, Germany.
Your education: I graduated from art school and have a BA in marketing.
Describe your art in three words: Introspective, Layered, Evocative.
Your discipline: Collage, Painting, Printmaking, Mixed Media.
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How does your upbringing in a country of nomads, influenced by various cultures, impact your creative process and the themes you explore in your art?

My background, shaped by the intersection of various cultural traditions, has a profound influence on my art. In my work, I explore themes of identity, memory, and emotion, seeking to understand how cultural codes shift and take on new meanings. I am inspired by the ideas of transition, freedom, and the constant search for self—this process is reflected in the layered nature of my compositions, the juxtaposition of diverse elements, and the contrast between tradition and modernity. Art, for me, is a way to reflect on my past and its impact on my present, bridging personal and collective experiences.

Your work blends classical techniques with digital and mixed media. Can you explain the role each of these media plays in your creative practice?

My artistic education provided me with a solid foundation in classical techniques, allowing me to work deeply with textures and materials. Digital technologies expand my creative horizons, enabling me to work with forms, colors, and layers without the constraints of physical space. Mixed media, for me, is the opportunity to blend the tactile nature of traditional art with the flexibility of digital tools, creating unique visual effects. Collage, as a new medium, opened up new possibilities for experimenting with compositions, texts, and colors, adding an element of unpredictability that makes each piece unique.

Aiyana Ku | Contemporary king | 2024

In your collage series, there seems to be an emphasis on emotions such as inner turmoil and introspection. How do you translate these complex feelings into visual language?

In my collages, I often explore deep emotions and themes related to my perception of the world, inner turmoil, and the search for self. Collage has become a way for me to express these feelings through the combination of randomly found elements. This became possible thanks to my sister Aiyari, who introduced me to various collage techniques and approaches, opening up a boundless world of possibilities and allowing me to dive deeper into this medium. With layering, fragmentation, and unexpected combinations of shapes, I create visual metaphors. The overlay of textures, contrasting colors, and sharp transitions help convey emotions, allowing the viewer to intuitively feel these states. Text in my works also plays an important role — it is connected to the image but doesn’t offer definitive answers, leaving space for personal reflection.

You mention that art should not prescribe meaning. How do you encourage the viewer to engage with your work on a personal level without providing direct interpretations?

For me, it’s important that the viewer feels free to interpret my work. I leave space for subjective perception, creating an atmosphere that encourages personal associations and reflections without providing clear answers. Instead of specific plots or explanations, I use a combination of visuals and text that evoke emotions and associations but leave open questions. Visual motifs, abstract forms, and symbols help establish a dialogue in which each viewer can find their own meaning. It’s like an unfinished story, which every viewer can complete in their own way, depending on their feelings and perceptions.

Aiyana Ku | Reflection on the importance | 2024

How do you approach the act of creating a collage, and what does the process of layering and juxtaposing different elements represent to you?

For me, collage is a process in which the outcome cannot be fully controlled, and that’s where its magic lies. Each time, I start by searching for elements, not knowing what images or forms they will ultimately create. This process is intuitive, like assembling a puzzle from unexpected pieces. Layering and juxtaposing elements is a way to work with memory, emotions, and cultural codes. I see it as a game of meanings, where chaos and harmony can coexist, and where unexpected combinations reveal new interpretations. Collage is about exploring randomness and possibility, where elements that weren’t meant to connect find each other and create something new and unique.

What role do you think color plays in your work, especially when it comes to conveying the emotional undercurrent of your pieces?

Color plays an important role in my work as a tool for emotional impact. In collage, I have complete freedom to experiment with color, its combinations, and interactions. Color helps me set accents and direct the viewer’s attention, as well as convey the emotional undercurrent of the piece. I love that in collage, I can combine unexpected color combinations that might seem incompatible in classical painting, creating unique visual effects and atmospheres.

Aiyana Ku | Crazier than any fiction | 2024

How does your cultural heritage influence the symbolism and aesthetics in your work?

My cultural heritage deeply influences my visual language, especially in terms of the perception of space and time. In Kazakh culture, where traditions play an important role, I often explore how these elements can be reinterpreted in contemporary art. My works address relevant social issues that are sometimes taboo in my culture, such as the role of women, the importance of their place in society and the perception of their bodies. I use art as a means to engage with these questions, exploring them through visual images and metaphors. Additionally, I raise the theme of self-discovery and finding one’s calling through experimentation and unconventional approaches, creating space for dialogue about personal and social issues that remain significant and important in contemporary Kazakh culture.