What's Above Me? Sculpture

ABOUT Ekin Büyükşahin, also known as Ekinakis (b. 1985, Ankara), lives and works in Izmir. She graduated from Bilkent University Faculty of Music and Performing Arts, Viola Department, in 2008. Her interest in visual arts—nurtured since childhood but kept in the background—intensified in 2013, leading her to focus on illustration and painting. Ekin’s works, incorporating acrylics, oil, watercolors, and digital techniques, are closely followed both in Turkey and internationally. In addition to her illustrations published in various publications, she is the author of a silent book titled The Man Who Likes Rain. Ekin continues her practice from her studio in Urla. ARTIST STATEMENT As Ekinakis, my work navigates the layered and often fragmented nature of human experience. Working in a figurative style, I explore themes of isolation, identity, and the complexities of emotion through minimalistic figures that gently invite viewers into a quiet, introspective space. With a palette of muted colors and textured elements, I hope to evoke a sense of subtle tension, mirroring the delicate balance between connection and solitude. I view each piece as a moment for reflection, both for myself and for others, allowing space to consider the intricacies of relationships and self-perception. My art draws inspiration from the fractured realities of contemporary life, aiming to provide a place for contemplation and quiet resonance.