We are in a week that total number of coronavirus cases worldwide has risen above 4 million and the world fears second wave of infections.
Comic artist, illustrator and story teller Burcu Türker joined conversation on the effect of COVID-19 at my three question investigation.
Otoportrait, Burcu Türker
How are you affected?
I am a comic artist, illustrator and story teller. I live and draw and write mostly in Berlin. My main way to work is to observe people and write down what I see, do research, consume other forms of art to then find new combinations and interesting stories. I am much inspired by real events and real people. But also, I am used to be alone at my desk.
My normal artist life is irregular. I don’t have that many daily routines. I work, I hold deadlines, I try to be productive on my personal projects and ideas, I constantly make new plans for the future. I join festivals, I make readings, I change my place of residence from time to time due to scholarships.
But I have no repeating schedule in my work life. In that sense, not much has changed. I do the same. But from home.
Now during confinements I realised I have to go through this time by keeping busy and not letting the fears take over.
So I started a little easy side project. I am making a daily coloring sheet for kids since end of April. People can download and print them out for free at home. And I hope it brings joy into families in quarantine. That’s my tiny little contribution.
Also, (after years of dreaming about it) I finally started a cooperation with my dear colleague and friend Ilki Kocer. We just founded our little brand “kim kim illustration”. We are producing postcards, art prints and are planning much more for the future. We just founded our little brandkim kim illustrationWe are producing postcards, art prints and are planning much more for the future.
Kim Kim Illustration için Burcu Türker’in yaptığı kartlardan örnekler. Tüm görseller copyright © Burcu Türker
I do realize how important my studio space in Berlin is for me. To have a space outside my apartment where it’s only about art and comics and business, where I have my colleagues around me to share our experiences. I haven’t been there for a long time now. I miss it a lot.
What will chance in the Art World
Honestly I am really not sure what to answer to this question. I have lots of hopes but I am not sure how realistic they are.
What do you hope to change?
During the pandemic we saw that politics can do quick and strong decisions if needed, that big changes can actually happen quickly.
I can only hope that this new understanding will lead to more good. To courage, to brighter possibilities, to not lose time, but decisively fight racism, be social and reasonable.
Last but not least, I hope the online live dancing classes will continue. I like that I don’t have to go out or take off my pyjamas to dance.
Paris’de Cité Internationale des Arts’daki sergiden.
