Rene Women Interviews 0011: Selin Çınar (axstone)
Design Journey
SS:How Has Your Art Changed: What has changed in your art since you started?
SC: I started drawing at a very young age. The first thing I drew was a floor plan of our old house. Later, I began to draw our house and its surroundings, followed by the inclusion of animals in my compositions. I remember being fascinated by the cats that visited our garden when I was very young. Subsequently, I began drawing cats and birds. Now, when I look back at my previous drawings, I realize that they all belong to the same world. I’ve always loved and drawn crowded compositions. As the years progressed, the details in my works became more intense.
SS: Have you had any significant collections or memories that truly influenced you? What is the most meaningful piece you have designed so far and why?
SC: The works I love the most and are most meaningful to me in my artistic journey are my pieces titled “Power of Babel” and “New Game.” “Power of Babel” is a work I created during the most challenging days of my art career, and after completing this piece, I managed to attract the attention of many people. Thanks to this work, I left the company I was working for and began focusing on my own projects. “New Game” is one of my works that best reflects my old memories, and what makes this piece special is that it is currently part of Deekay Motion’s NFS collection. Having my work in the collection of an artist I highly value brings me immense joy.
SS: Your works were exhibited in Times Square last year; what did that mean to you? How did it feel to see it displayed like that?
SC: In 2023, my work titled “Laboratory” was exhibited in Times Square after being selected from among 2000 participants in a competition. I was thrilled when I received this news. However, since I was informed only two weeks before the exhibition date, I unfortunately did not have the chance to see it in person. Nonetheless, when I saw the crowd gathered in front of my work, I couldn’t hold back my tears. It was one of the most beautiful moments in my career.
Sources of Inspiration
SS: Who are the artists that inspire you? Your works resemble tattoo artists and even remind one of Mexican artists like Jose Guadalupe Pasada. Which artists or ideas influence and inspire you?
SC: There are countless artists who inspire me. Since my childhood, I have spent hours on the computer constantly discovering new artists and resources containing their creative processes. Every artist inspires me in different ways. Among the artists I have been following for a long time are Davor Gromilovic, Qing Yi, Ahad, Debbie Tea, Killer Acid, Ochiai Shohei, Ykha Amelz, Hunt Soul, Kensausage, Oda Iselin Sonderegger, Ardhira Putra, and P. Puck, to name a few.
I can’t say there are very specific ideas that influence me, but generally, universes and characters that are not from this world have always fascinated me. When I see works resembling humans, I usually distance myself from them a bit.
How New Ideas Are Born
SS: When you are ready to start new projects, what draws your interest and guides you?
SC:Everything from the old times is a source of inspiration for me: a forgotten childhood memory, old cartoon characters, or a song I previously listened to. Every memory from the 1990s and 2000s is a great source of inspiration for me.
About Your Clients and Collaborations
SS: Who Loves Your Works: Can you provide some information about the people who buy your art? What do they value, and where are they from?
SC: My works are generally loved by people from all walks of life. I have wonderful supporters from Japan, America, England, and many other places. Globally, my works are present in the collections of many powerful and well-known names. I am happy that they understand my world and support me.
SS: Recent Collaborations: What is the fun part of larger-scale collaborations, such as with the Istanbul Comic Book and Art Festival or your work exhibited in Times Square? What do you enjoy about bringing your art to such a big platform?
SC: Seeing the large-scale versions of my works is really fun. Because most of the characters I draw are already quite absurd. The large versions of three-eyed, four-armed, or big-headed characters become even more comical.
Your World
Favorite Places:
SS: What are your favorite places in your own city (Please share at least one: restaurant, cafe, park/natural place, neighborhood, shop)?
SC: My favorite place in my city is my garden. We have a beautiful garden that we created with my family near where I live. In this garden, we grow our own produce and take care of abandoned, disabled, or hungry animals in the forest, providing them with shelter in our garden and doing our best to help them sustain their lives. Currently, we have many cats and dogs. As someone who doesn’t like the city much, I don’t have a favorite place within four walls.
SS: Who is your favorite tattoo artist?
SC: The first ones that come to mind are Tuğçe Türksoy, Michelle Wanhala, Rion, and Brandley Sizemore.
SS: Which cities and regions in Turkey do you like and why?
SC: My favorite cities in Turkey are Muğla and Çeşme. Çeşme, in particular, has wonderful weather. Its green areas and sunrises are incredibly beautiful.
Living in Your Own Style
SS: You have a very distinct style – both in art and personal life. What is your home like? If we came for tea, what would surprise us?
SC:If you came for tea to my house, one thing that would surprise you would be the few items I own. Generally, my interest in items is limited; this applies to me in every area. I am not someone who participates in the consumption frenzy. I guess I only like crowded environments in my drawings.
Other Favorites
SS: Is there something you enjoy collecting besides the works you create? Why is it special to you?
SC: I don’t like buying and collecting items, so they don’t have a special story for me.
Pets:
SS: Do you have pets? What are their names, and do they ever feature in your works?
SC: I have a cat named Nohut, who has been sharing my life for 8 years. Nohut appears in many of my works. I found him on the street when he was 2 months old. When I found him, his eyes were in bad shape, and unfortunately, he later became blind. He can’t see now, but people don’t believe he’s blind. He’s a master at catching fruit flies and plays ball very well. Besides Nohut, we have many animals that we take care of in our garden: Mayıs, Beyaz, Haziran, Anne Kedi, and many more. I love them all very much. Each one holds a very special place in my heart.
Education and Learning
SS: Where and How Did You Learn to Create? Were there any special people or experiences that made a difference?
SC: I’ve been involved in drawing since a very young age and have always been a producer. Unfortunately, my family did not support me in this regard. However, I paved my own way. After high school, I entered the Graphic Design department at Anadolu University, but due to certain reasons, I had to leave the school after 8 years.
Throughout my school life, I had teachers who had a significant impact on my life. However, the most special one for me was my 2nd-grade teacher, Nuryan Çelikten. I can never forget the day she saw me drawing and was so happy and supportive. She encouraged me to participate in an inter-school drawing competition, where I came in 3rd and received my prize from her hands. That day is priceless for me. I lost my dear teacher Nuryan during the pandemic; she was a very special person to me.
Later on, in university, one of the people who inspired me the most in the field of Graphic Design was my teacher, Melike Taşçıoğlu. Her presence always makes me happy. I continue to meet wonderful people in my field every day, and each one has a different impact on me. However, these two people, in particular, have had a significant influence on my drawings.
Personal and Past
SS: Do You Have a Happy Childhood Memory? Is there a memory that has influenced your life or work?
SC: One of my happiest memories is the day Galatasaray won the UEFA Cup in 2000. If I had the chance to relive a day, I would choose that day. Because I was very young at the time, and seeing people come together and share their happiness had a profound effect on me. I remember coming home from school and being glued to the screen; the magic of that day is indescribable. Hairstyles, clothes worn, even names were fashionable at that time. Looking back now, I realize that I incorporate many details from these memories into my works.
Behind the Scenes
SS:How long does it take for you to create new works: How does the process from idea to finished design work?
SC: It takes me at most 3 days to produce new works. When I start a project, I want to complete it immediately and share it with people. I don’t start my works by sketching. All my works start and develop randomly. The results are a surprise.
