Background

Born and raised in Istanbul, growing up within layers of history, color, and everyday contrasts shaped the foundation of a creative mindset early on. That environment sparked a constant urge to make, design, and translate thoughts into visual form. This impulse first took shape in high school art classes and studio practice, where experimentation became a way of understanding the world. Callow Art began as a personal outlet—a space to reflect on shifting perspectives and the quiet changes that come with growing up. Studying architecture and design at the University of Toronto introduced a new cultural landscape, one that brought distance from home, family, and familiarity. That distance became a catalyst for deeper reflection, explored through visual studies and ongoing artistic practice. Across the work, recurring themes emerge: holding onto childhood, navigating life far from home, facing uncertainty about the future, and searching for identity in an increasingly complex world. Each piece becomes a snapshot of a moment in that journey—an attempt to make sense of change, belonging, and becoming.