Chelsea graduate Dilara Koselioren to exhibit at London Design Festival 2023
- Written byGiada Maestra
- Published date 21 September 2023
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We spoke to Dilara Koselioren to learn more about her journey and upcoming exhibitions in London as part of the London Design Festival, an event that highlights and showcases the city as a design hub on the global platform. She completed her BA in Interior Design at Chelsea College of Arts in 2021.
You graduated from Chelsea College of Arts in 2021. What was that experience like?
Yes, I did a BA in Interior Design at Chelsea College of Arts, and it was an amazing experience. I felt like I was fully free to express my ideas in different ways. One of the reasons I started my Digital and Graphic Designer journey was my amazing teacher, who encouraged me to do more graphics and video editing when she saw they were my main tool of communication, and they really encouraged me to do more. I’d like to thank them one more time.
What have you been up to since graduating from Chelsea?
After graduation, I took some time to figure out what to do next. It was not an easy time and I'm pretty sure lots of graduates can agree with me. I didn't want to force myself into an office environment which I wasn’t ready for.
My years as a young artist were an important time for me to keep exploring my art. Finding out what I wanted to do with and achieve in my art made me feel free and helped me find a new purpose. I don't want to say it is an easy journey, but I’d choose it again because it allows me to constantly challenge myself, learn, and move forward as an artist. Most importantly, it made me grow as a human.
Your work will be exhibited at Peckham Levels during the London Design Festival this September. How did you get involved with LDF, and can you tell us more about the show?
Being part of the London Design Festival is especially important for me as an artist and is such an amazing experience! While I was trying to figure out how to start my career in the arts, I was reaching out to lots of different exhibitions and art festivals. I was learning about the professional art scene and introducing myself and my work. London Design Festival was so supportive and they gave me lots of confidence to reach out more. I was referred to Peckham Levels, and when I went to visit I knew it was the right decision; the space is open to the public and welcomes every part of society under 1 roof. This is definitely what my art aims for.
How does living in a big city like London inspire/affect your work?
Actually, the main focus of my art is city life and how its architectural and emotional sides affect us on a daily basis. There are a lot of architectural references in my art. I like to use 3D and 2D objects with digital and graphic art that gives more dimension to the artwork. I think living in big metropolises can affect everyone differently. I was born in Istanbul, which is a big metropolis, and then I moved to London. Even though it’s stressful and lacking empathy, I still found a space for myself in London.
Is there anything you would like to say to recent UAL graduates who want to pursue a career in art?
I know personally that the majority of us at UAL are really competitive and passionate about what we do. However, when I first graduated I didn't know how important networking and financing were in the art world. Staying in touch with people can push you harder and keep you up-to-date. Also, make sure you’re still doing art for yourself and emotions as well. Just remember your career is not just a couple of days or months but a journey. The more you put yourself out there and try your hardest without being hard on yourself, you’ll succeed in your art career.
What do you have planned for 2023?
This year has been a blessing in so many ways. Every year has its ups and downs, but 2023 made me focus on more good achievements and it helped me a lot. I really wanted to focus on my career and push it further. Being happy with my journey I think is really important; enjoy the moment and be proud of what we do and our career.
I would like to thank the UAL alumni department for this interview opportunity, and I would like to thank readers for taking the time to read my interview.
Exhibitions where you can spee Dilara's work this September:
- London Design Festival (16-24 September 2023)
- London Design Fair (21-24 September 2023)
- New Artist Fair (29 September - 1 October 2023)
Follow Dilara on Instagram @dilarakoseliorenart
