Deniz Kazma’s journey seems to show that it is not. Like her art, her life is a “work in progress” nourished by tradition and modernity. Tradition because the Asian cultures are well anchored in her artistic DNA. Modernity because our reality is conditioned, transformed, distorted by a technological comet that upsets traditional landmarks and forces the artist to become fully aware of the new perceptual universes she creates and imposes.
The great difficulty is therefore to reconcile the past and the present, inserting the ancestral roots in a permanent revolution that generally leaves little time for meditation and reflection.
Deniz’s artistic expression appears in fact as a bridge between these two worlds. Nourished by the energy of childhood, by this sea that gives Mankind inexhaustible creativity, her works as a graphic designer and as an artist fit perfectly into our times. The 60s and 70s, the Asia of yesterday and today, music and many contemporary influences combine to give birth to a claimed abstract expressionism, but which does not exclude the multiplicity of expression media, and which does not exclude any question.
Self-taught or art school?
I graduated from an art school in Istanbul, from the Graphic Design department. I worked for years as a graphic designer. I believe my style has a graphic look because of this. I got basics of art in my first year at school, but I developed my drawing, painting, getting to know the materials skills throughout the years.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
Winged Victory of Samothrace.
How would you describe your style?
Experimental inspired by Art Deco and Pop Art styles.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
My works have multiple phases until they find the final body, this includes the choice of paper, then I paint (these paintings can be classified as abstract expressionism) on the selected paper mostly with ink and acrylic paint, then I cut-out pieces out of these paintings and mix-match multiple paintings to be able to create collage paintings.
Is narrative important within your work?
Although some of my work has an abstract language and have representations. it’s not always important, I am more interested in the performance of creation and it’s effects on my artwork.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
Man Ray, Pablo Picasso, Ettore Sottsass, Gaudi are the first names that come to my mind, partially because I can -humbly- have a sense of their creative process when I see their works.
What or who inspires your art?
Any contemporary or ancient artwork, nature (mostly water), interior design elements.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
I share a studio in Brussels with four other artists. I also have a room that I dedicate to small artworks in my apartment.
Do you have any studio rituals?
No, I do not have any rituals.
What are you working on currently?
I am working on solid versions of my collages.
Where can we buy your art?
Currently direct contact with me or saatchiart.com