Turkish textile artist Mustafa Boga studied Fine Art before starting machine embroidery during lockdown. His incredible pieces “tell a personal story which also has a wider context. I also tried to capture a vision for a post-pandemic future, along with a journey through my creative influences and history.“ He now lives in London. 

Firstly where did you grow up and where do you live now? 

I was born in Adana, Turkey and grow up in my home city until I left for university in Istanbul and later I moved to London, England and that is where I live now. Although I often go back to Turkey for projects.

What is your background in textiles?

I don’t have much background on textile. I made a few projects and I taught myself how to use a sewing machine during Covid-19. I studied at Central Saint Martins in MA Fine art. 

What is it about textiles as an art form that appeals to you? 

I used to print my digital images on fabrci and that is how I started to use them. I like the idea of using something that is part of our everyday culture. They can be seen as products of technology but using it in art form shows its value in any culture.

What techniques do you use?

I use free hand machine embroidery. 

How do you describe your work?

During the lockdown, I have started making freehand machine embroidery  and I have developed new skills to produce a body of work using sewing machines and discarded spools of cotton. The subjects of these free-hand machine embroideries relate to my background, and are also informed by current world events. Each piece tells a personal story which also has a wider context. I also tried to capture a vision for a post-pandemic future, along with a journey through my creative influences and history. 

How do you create a piece? 

When l start making each work with this medium, however, l make plans and lay out all the yarn with colour coordination, but in the end, improvisation leads me. The randomness of mistakes make sense when you look at the work from a few feet away. The process becomes quite satisfying after adding hundred of meters of thread and suddenly, an impression appears. 

First I prepare a digital collage and turn that into a physical work by using sewing machine embroidery. It takes a long time and involves a lot of improvisation as well as mistakes that lead me to take new directions. 

I know this is a hard question but how long does a bigger piece take?

It really depends on the size and but the pieces I have done so far usually takes between 5 to 10 days.

What are you most proud of in your art career so far?

This year I have had two solo exhibitions in Turkey and I think those has been the highlights of my art carrier. 

Do you have any advice for aspiring textile artists?

I know that waking up everyday and finding inspiration to work can sometimes be challenging. Personally the most important think is to find that motivation and the starting point is important. For me when I am able to start that day I carry on, so day time is my working hours. Apart from that consistency is really important, to be able to make work everyday.

Which artists inspire you?

Sarah Zapata, Erin M. Riley, Faith Ringgold and Billie Zangewa

https://www.mustafaboga.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bogamust/

https://www.facebook.com/mustafa.boga.10/