CONTEMPORARY ARTIST NAZ KÖKBUDAK

Naz Kökbudak is a contemporary artist and interior architect whose practice explores the relationship between the inner world of the individual and the cyclical structure of the universe. At the core of her work, she reinterprets the traditional Evil Eye bead, transforming it into what she defines as the “Eye of the Universe”—a portal between inner awareness and cosmic order.

This conceptual foundation began not by looking outward to the universe, but by turning inward. During a period in her life, Kökbudak became aware of recurring emotional and experiential cycles. The story did not change—only the people did. The roles remained the same, and similar emotions and patterns continued to repeat.

Her awareness of these cycles deepened as she began translating them onto the canvas. The circular structure of the Nazar form—its sense of repetition and center—became a visual representation of these internal patterns. Through the act of creating, she began to see these repetitions more clearly. The process became not only an act of production, but a field of awareness. That awareness ultimately allowed her to step outside the cycle itself.

It is within this realization that she establishes the connection between the inner cosmos and cosmic energy. Just as the universe operates within cyclical systems, the human inner world follows a similar rhythm. The title “Inner Cosmos” emerges from this understanding: in order to create one’s own universe, one must first come to know one’s inner world. Because true transformation always begins within.

Working on wood and canvas, the artist creates layered, three-dimensional surfaces using acrylic and resin. By bringing together color, texture, and depth, she constructs immersive visual fields that invite the viewer into an experiential space. Her use of deep blue tones reflects balance, protection, and inner calm, while gold elements symbolize abundance and the energy of transformation.

Through optical effects and geometric compositions, Kökbudak makes visible the repetitive patterns of human experience and their connection to universal cycles. Each work is approached as a reflection of an individual journey, emphasizing that every person’s path of transformation is unique.

Following her Nazar series, the artist expanded her practice by abstracting celestial forms such as the Sun, Mars, Venus, and meteoric structures, continuing to reinterpret cosmic elements through a deeply personal perspective.

Kökbudak graduated from Saint Joseph High School and later from the Department of Interior Architecture at Yeditepe University Faculty of Fine Arts (2007). She began her professional career in international architecture offices, where she developed a strong foundation in spatial thinking and design. Integrating this background with her artistic vision, she produces works that combine material experimentation with conceptual depth.

Her works have been exhibited in numerous group exhibitions in Istanbul and internationally, and are currently presented in galleries both in Turkey and abroad. The artist continues her artistic production and projects on both national and international platforms.

Exhibitions attended by the artist

15 October 2023 ''castor'' Karl & Eın Art Gallery Curator Ecem Gürleyen

27 October 2023 ''Pollux'' Karl and Eın Art Gallery Curator Ecem Gürleyen

2 March 2023 Caddebostan Cultural Center ''How the sky Blooms''

18 May 2023 Splendid La Vision Art Gallery Ortaköy Kethüda Hamam

01 June Art Contact Istanbul 3rd International Contemporary Art Fair

19 September Artio Gallery International Group Exhibition Toronto Canada

29 September 2023 Swisshotel Ramon Art Gallery Magic Market

26 October Raffles Hotel Zorlu Shopping Gala Bollywood

15-19 November Istanbul IAAF Art&Antique Fair

01-05 May IAAF İzmir Art & Antique Fair

13-17 Nowember IAAF İstanbul Art & Antique Fair

17-20 April 2025 Art Dubai 

21 Aprıl-16 May 2026 Gama Gallery Beyoglu Solo Exhibition

14-17 May 2026 ArtContact Istanbul