Nalân Karadag

Your works are deeply emotional and intuitive. How do you know when a piece is finished?

I often feel that a piece is finished when it has reached a certain balance and harmony for me. Sometimes, it’s a sense of satisfaction or the feeling that no further changes are needed. It’s also an intuitive decision, where I listen to my gut feeling and the emotions that the piece evokes in me.

How do you translate internal chaos or tension into visual forms?

I try to translate internal chaos or tensions into visual forms through expressive lines, bold colors, and dynamic compositions. I often use irregular shapes and contrasting elements to convey the intensity and emotions I feel. It’s about representing the energy and movement within me in a way that touches the viewer and invites reflection.

Nalân Karadag | Frida | 2021

Can you share a moment when creating art helped you process a personal experience?

During a particularly difficult time, I turned to my art to process an emotional experience. I created a piece that captured my feelings of confusion and pain, and through the act of creating, I was able to give shape to emotions I hadn’t fully understood. The process not only helped me express what I was going through, but also became a path to inner peace and healing.

Do you work with a set palette or do the colors choose themselves in the moment?

I am flexible and often let the colors decide spontaneously what best suits the mood and atmosphere of my artwork. Sometimes I have a specific palette in mind, but most of the time I let myself be guided by the colors that inspire me in the moment. This gives my works a lively and authentic energy.

Nalân Karadag | GDDH | 2022

What role does spontaneity play in your process, and how do you balance it with compositional control?

Spontaneity plays a significant role in my creative process, as it allows me to capture genuine inspiration and keep the work lively and authentic. I enjoy letting my intuition guide certain elements, which often leads to unexpected and exciting results. At the same time, I strive to maintain a balance by applying some compositional control, ensuring that the overall piece remains harmonious and coherent. This blend of spontaneity and control helps me create artwork that feels both spontaneous and thoughtfully composed.

What do you hope viewers feel or reflect on when looking at your artworks?

I hope that viewers feel a connection to my artworks and embark on a personal journey while looking at them. I enjoy it when my pieces evoke emotions—whether it’s joy, contemplation, or surprise. Ultimately, I wish for them to inspire reflection and give each viewer the opportunity to discover their own meanings and stories within the artworks.

Nalân Karadag | GDDH | 2024

You often explore the contrast between chaos and order. Is this duality something you experience in daily life?

Sometimes, life feels like a whirlwind of unpredictable events and emotions, representing chaos. At other times, there are moments of calm, structure, and clarity—symbolizing order. Exploring this duality in my work helps me understand and express the balance we all navigate between these two states. It’s a way to find harmony amidst the chaos and appreciate the beauty in both aspects.