Zeynep Solakoğlu, born in Istanbul in 1986, is a painter of surreal worlds. Solakoğlu’s distinct style combines elements of art history, mythology and fantasy featuring exaggerated forms and vivid colors. Inspired by women artists from the past and early cinema, she aims to merge storytelling with visual art. Primarily working with ink and watercolor, she recently began oil painting and gradually began to use the surface of her handmade vases with shapes deriving from different geographies for her paintings. Her art speaks of personal evolution, identity and resilience.

Holding a Visual Communication Design degree from Bilgi University and further studies in art history, she has exhibited her work globally, with her book Orange Girl available at SF MoMA. Primarily working in ink and watercolor, she recently began oil painting. Her art engages viewers with themes of personal evolution, identity, and resilience.

Solakoğlu lives and works in Istanbul.