Ugur Gallenkus

Uğur Gallenkuş, born in 1990 in Niğde, Turkiye, is a digital collage artist based in Istanbul, where he both lives and works. However, his artistic journey took an impactful turn in 2015 when a spontaneous reaction to the distressing image of Alan Kurdi, a two-year-old Syrian refugee, ignited his transformation into an artist and advocate.

Born in 1990 in Niğde/Turkiye, Uğur completed his primary and secondary education in Istanbul. In 2013, he graduated from Anadolu University Department of Business Administration. Upon completing his education, he tried his hand at different jobs. Today, he lives in Istanbul, managing an e-commerce site of a private company.

Gallenkuş's collaborations extend to global advocacy organizations. Notably, his work supported the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Goals campaign in 2019, and in 2020, he contributed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign during the COVID-19 crisis. His impactful murals contrasting global inequality with the Kulczyk Foundation in Poland further underscore his commitment to positive change.

Selected for Arts Help's historic digital art exhibition in space, "Zero Gravity: Is This Our Earth?" in 2021, Gallenkuş's art transcends earthly boundaries to decry global injustices. Collaborating with The Lion’s Share Fund, co-founded by the UNDP, he drew attention to threats against biodiversity, wildlife conservation, and animal welfare.

Establishing enduring relationships with the World Health Organization Foundation since 2022 and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) since 2021, Gallenkuş leverages his art to support life-saving health services. His ongoing commitment continued with the WHO Foundation’s Human Kind social media campaign, showcasing artworks in support of critical health missions in Turkey, Syria, Ukraine, Sahel, and the Greater Horn of Africa. As a testament to his impact...