The Ancient World Meets Contemporary Society In Ege Islekel's Arresting Artworks

Milan-based artist and interior designer Ege Islekel re-appropriates classical artworks to fit contemporary themes. From the horrors of war to social media addiction, ancient figures struggle to survive in the modern day with emotive results.
Turkish-born Ege Islekel grew up listening to his father’s “mythological stories,” which sparked a subsequent fascination with the convergence of ancient and contemporary culture. Upon obtaining a degree in Urban Planning, the artist and designer strategically moved to Milan. “Here you see history on every corner, and have the chance to observe how history and contemporary life come together,” Islekel tells Culture Trip.

“Being an interior designer [means] you have to be original and up-to-date. You have to combine your design taste with people’s desires.” But this is not to ignore the past; rather, Islekel brings ancient world nostalgia into the modern day, subjecting classical figures to contemporary circumstances. The resulting juxtaposition is striking – discomforting in some instances, satirical in others.

“To me, the idea is always the same: to see art from my own perspective, and to present it in my own way,” Islekel explains. “My aim is to express what I’m thinking about life – from war to social media – in an ironic way. I prefer to show my thoughts through art.”

In a dynamic series of cleverly-manipulated photographs, Islekel explores themes of consumerism, war, social media obsession, and censorship. Check out some our favorites below, and visit his website and Instagram for more.

About the author

Rachel Gould

Art & Design Editor

After four years studying in Scotland, Rachel traded Edinburgh's gothic splendors for the modern grandeur of her hometown. Based in New York City as Culture Trip's Art and Design Editor, she's traveled on assignment from Art Basel Miami Beach to the Venice Biennale, jumping on cutting-edge industry news and immersing herself in feature stories. Her anthropological background continues to support a keen fascination with the social, cultural, and political significance of art.