This project is a reflection of the city
through the use of images, photos and sketches
Istanbul is a city of contrasts. In this project i experimented with the overlay 2 distinct cultures and religions- Islam and Christianity, to reflect how the present and past interwined in a city, so deeply steeped in history. Hagia Sofia , part cathedral, part mosque, part museum, has been an essential culture reference for 1500 years. I felt awestruck and inspired by this holy place which reveals priceless cultural images of Christian mosaics from the past and a new spirit of muslim culture.
Inside Hagia Sofia
This project started from the two above pictures following my trip to Istanbul. I was amazed by its scenery, and immediatelly realised the contrasts which filled this city. The cold blue architecture of Muslim mosques,the refreshing bay with its dark deep cool water and its screaming gulls compared to the warm stone of past, the earlier Byzintine period, Christian Ortodox orange-gold mosaic and finally we can see the Hagia Sofia which simply exudes history.
It seems to me that this city which is full of birds entwined with silhouette of mosques creates an unforgetable even slightly scary atmosphere.
UNFREEDOM
My sketches attempt to depict some facets of the inner lives of these Muslim women who spend the vast majority of their lives enveloped in clothes.
These pictures were created by cutting out Islamic symbols and overlaying them with colourful divine mosaics
These images initially taken from the wall of Hagia Sofia, were subsequently printed and composed as a triptych
