Artist in conversation: Hakan Kemal
“I am successful being motivated because there is no other occupation I can do or handle in this world. I love designing and effort on what you design and thought. That’s it.”
Hakan Kemal is an architect and furniture designer who loves to design and produce contemporary furniture that inspires people to think and feel beyond its functionality.
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
Since highschool there is always a desire of producing and designing. Because of that I studied architecture however I realized that furnitures and objects draw me as an art with its uniqueness because furnitures also a playful or meaningful statues of our livin spaces. Designing objects and furnitures is a kind of expression of yourself which is one of the main concepts of art. Then I started to design experimental and unusual pieces. Also I have a funny thought that make people to think ‘Is it available to sit on this chair?’ thought. 😊
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
After lots of researches and observations, I found myself thinking we need to see more of unusual pieces around us and also we need to realize furnitures as an objects and valuable objects for our living spaces. Since I would like to explore contemporary and organic forms of a design. I would like to hide small meanings and contrasts on details such as smalll curves. I inspired from organic forms because of nature and a person is a natures member itself so I would like to find people warm and their spaces to be more home as it should be.
How do you stay updated on the latest trends, technologies, and innovations in architecture, and how do you incorporate these into your design process?
I try to be active on Instagram and digital publications to follow latest trends but more than that I try to be timeless to be a legacy for generations. However by doing that it is important to reflect the context for future. I would like to design and produce just by myself so I prefer using traditional ways. When I do that, my art can be more me.
Can you share a specific piece of artwork that holds special significance to you?
This is my first design and product so it is special for being my first work as an emerging and passionate artist.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
I try to understand people’s thoughts and accummulation on design to filter critics and feedbacks because some of the critics might be hold back. I evaluate the feedbacks for people’s design understanding. I think that an artist have to close ears to reflect the message on his/her mind. It is not a kind of service to make people satisfied. People have to get what can be got.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
I am successful being motivated because there is no other occupation I can do or handle in this world. I love designing and effort on what you design and thought. That’s it.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
I am very happy to announce people my art via The Holy Art Gallery in the cities that have a wide audience.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
I am planning to exhibit more artworks which are in my mind waiting to be produced for getting to wider audience and reflect personal tastes to people’ houses and inspire young designer.
What role does emotion play in your creative process, and and how do you aim to evoke specific feelings or reactions from those who view your work?
I like people to question the chair whether is it available and enjoy to look at and sit on it. People must enjoy sitting and living in addition to comfort and ergonomics. Actually I think ergonomic is not a concept for physical also a psychological. So a chair or armchair should be ergonomic in mind for people to reflect people’s mind.
