Good People of vitruta: Sina Ateş

Welcome to Sina! We always start by asking the same question, that's why I don't change the routine. How would you describe yourself to people who don't know you? Who is Sina Ateş? How did it start, what did it do, how does it continue?

Originally from Ankara, I am a designer and illustrator who has felt Istanbul to my core for the last 10 years. I also like writing and researching. I graduated from Bilkent University Graphic Design Department. After working in agencies in Ankara for 3 years, I founded my own agency in Istanbul in 2014 and worked with many companies as creative director. However, since the agency life was not what I had imagined and to escape from the chaos of Istanbul and to relax a little, I devoted myself to drawing.

However, I used to draw when I was little, but with the introduction of computers into the home, my life shifted to the digital world. While I was doing drawing alongside my agency life for 5 years, I decided to leave the agency in 2019 to pursue an artistic career. I opened my first solo exhibition 'Comfort in Chaos' in Ankara in 2019. I was working with a technique that required more effort, more like dotwork/stippling.

As we entered 2020 with new hopes, I started producing content for social media with the outbreak of the pandemic and the general halt of life. I switched to a vector style to say what I had to say in the heat of the day. I continue with sweet and harsh reproachful content about the agenda and the general order. I collaborate with brands. Apart from this, my freelance graphic design work continues. I have high expectations for 2024, I hope I can achieve what I want without global obstacles getting in our way again.

Would you like to tell the story of this magnificent office and workshop?

My workshop was actually my agency. We moved here in 2016. It was the warehouse where the sheet metal of old Anadol cars was produced, I don't know how true it is. When I first arrived it was a dump. We changed it from top to bottom. In 2019, we turned it into a workshop with my sister Beril. Of course, when the pandemic period intervened, we were just gaining the mobility we wanted. I can say that there will be more exhibitions, workshops and talks in this area.

Can we say that Adam's story emerged at this very table?

Actually, Adem was a character I drew before, but he didn't have a name. The pandemic period was a turning point in my life. I left the agency and was starting to have financial difficulties. In addition, the period of these bans made me very tired psychologically. While I was making plans in my mind to say something, Adem appeared. Adem, who, in his naive and confused state, gets through every trouble he encounters with his good will and courage, and who can illuminate the darkness within us with a bit of humor... With him, I can look at the events in the flow of life much more joyfully, because this is a journey and there will be difficult moments. For me, the meaning of hope itself.

So what mostly triggers your work? Because now, a large audience has formed that shows its stance on issues that concern society by sharing your works; How do you introduce a tasteful line of criticism into your works?

Actually, I have many different things in mind that I want to tell, but Turkey's agenda is known to all of us. Sometimes funny things happen, sometimes tragicomic, sometimes seriously painful. For example, the time of the earthquake was a very difficult process for all of us, at this point I produced content that took the work seriously in a more informative sense and wanted to make people think. Until the beginning of the election, I tried to be a voice as much as I could. Nowadays, I produce content on tragicomic events. I mostly criticize the situation. We can say that I slowed down a little bit because I focused on my own work. Life is not social media.

You have been in Kafa Magazine for about a year. How are things going, what kind of communication do you have with that amazing team that we love so much?

Kafa Magazine is obviously very enjoyable. It was my first magazine experience. It's been a year since I started and I don't know how it went. I had a little difficulty at first, but now I'm progressing more planned and programmed. I write about topics that interest me, sometimes on the agenda... Greetings to the whole Kafa family, especially Candaş and Ayça. A great team brings great work.

You mentioned that you will have an exhibition soon, would you like to share the news with us?

Yeah, I'm focused on that right now. There will be an exhibition that I will open in our workshop towards the end of April or the beginning of May. I am designing an exhibition that includes Adem's new works as well as my old works, and where you can examine my old notebooks along with my digital works. I hope I can make it. :)

I'm a little stuck on this magnificent building in Beyoğlu, so I'd like to get some suggestions from here, too. We are right at the Thursday Market in Karaköy; This place also has an incredible place historically for Istanbul. How does it feel to produce here? It must be a great satisfaction to be on the producing side today in this district where countless artists have come and gone.

Yes, Karaköy is a region that has been the heart of trade since the Ottoman Empire. This Thursday Market area of ​​ours is still like that. Bolt dealers, cargo drivers, hardware stores, agencies, artists all together... Extremely lively and noisy... You feel the weekday chaos in your bones. Of course, for us this means moving and producing more. I didn't like the chaos at first, but now the chaos is mine. :)

Where do you go most often during the day or after work? There are many options, but as a local, I was wondering which ones you prefer.

If we find time at lunch time, we go to the Court Restaurant. Apart from that, Can Balık, Dönerci Şahin Usta, Ozzies.

In the evening, especially on summer evenings, after finishing work early, I only pass by Asmalı Cavit, where I have a good time with its delicious food. We became like family.

Finally, would you like to tell us your three favorite brands in vitruta?

Carthartt WIP , Dickies and New Balance .

You can click here for the products Sina Ateş used and selected in the shooting.