OEZASE: ARTIST FUSING MEMORY WITH DIGITAL ART

Chasing Wonder with OEZASE: Art as a Bridge between Infinite Worlds

OEZASE is crafting new narratives through the interweaving of personal memory, algorithms, nostalgia, and aspirational futures.

“Perhaps every person has, on a warm summer day, stared into the empty air and noticed the tiny, floating specks dancing in the sunlight—those delicate points that seem almost alive. (You might want to research what they are.) In those quiet, fleeting moments, I’ve often felt a strange mix of awe and serenity. The way sunlight filters through a tree, illuminating dust or pollen, transforms ordinary spaces into something magical, almost sacred. It’s as if the universe whispers that beauty exists in the smallest, most unnoticed corners of our lives. That sense of wonder, that awareness of fleeting beauty, is what inspires me to create, to reach beyond the mundane, and to leave a trace of this marvel behind.

There is a saying that thousands of ancestors had to exist for each of us to be here in this very moment. I think about that lineage often—the countless lives, choices, struggles, and joys that converge to form the reality I now inhabit. My goal is to leave something behind that my descendants, even my great-great-grandchildren, will remember with pride. I want them to sense the curiosity, the care, and the love embedded in what I create. To me, this desire to leave a meaningful legacy is one of the deepest and most enduring human drives. It is not about fame or recognition, but about contributing a small, luminous thread to the vast tapestry of life.” (Letter from OEZASE)

OEZASE has captivated us with his words. His story is captivating social media, and many are talking about it. Born between two homelands, his vision spans the world. His art weaves new narratives where personal memory intersects with algorithms, where nostalgia meets imagined futures.

He doesn't just create; he lives what he creates. His works blend public figures and fictional characters, childhood memories and contemporary urban elements, forging a visual language that feels both intimate and universal. Each image carries layers of meaning: the story of an emigrant grandfather, the dreams of a father who built financial security for his children, the vision of an artist who imagines his children discovering his art everywhere they look.

The OEZASE phenomenon is not merely a reflection of our era—it is a deeply human experience. Through his work, we see that even in the age of artificial intelligence, the most authentic creativity still comes from the heart. OEZASE is writing a new chapter in the history of contemporary art.

1. I would like you to introduce yourself by stepping away from your project. Tell me about yourself. How are your roots and ideals intertwined with your work? Can we deduce your story from your works? Tell me how the idea for OEZASE came about: how did this creative project come about and what was its initial purpose?

I am an artist who, even before the birth of OEZASE, had long been working behind the scenes for well-known musicians from Germany, France, and Turkey under a different artist name. I designed the cover artworks for many songs that together have already reached over 95 million streams. Yet within these projects, my art always remained in the background, constrained by the need to adapt it to others’ visions.

My roots are inseparable from my art. I am the grandson of a Gastarbeiter—my grandfather came to Germany in 1968, intending only to work long enough to buy a tractor for his village back home. He stayed, working until retirement, and in doing so opened the path for my father to study here, and ultimately for me, his grandson, to speak to millions through my art.

There is something profoundly beautiful in the thought that my grandfather once arrived as a migrant worker, and today his grandson is invited by galleries and brands to collaborate because of his artistic vision. I must admit that thought is powerful—it represents the fulfilment of dreams that our grandparents carried, even when they lacked the financial means and opportunities we have today.

The idea of OEZASE was born from a simple realization: if my cover artworks alone could reach 95 million streams, why shouldn’t I be able to touch millions with art that is truly my own? And now, as of early October, OEZASE—which has existed for only six months—has already amassed over 40 million views across Instagram and TikTok, with hundreds of thousands of likes.

2. Tell me about an evocative image from your past that connects you to the present and your artistic work. What invisible connections do you feel between your works, even when they seem to stem from opposing emotions?

One image from my past that has profoundly shaped me is the constant awareness that nothing in life is given—you must give everything yourself to reach your goals.

I believe that from one generation to the next, something must be passed on. My grandfather gave us life in Germany and opened the path for us here, even though, because of our appearance, we are not always seen as typically German. I love this country, as I am fortunate to grow up between two cultures—the German and the Turkish.

My father provided me with a life free from financial worries. Even today, I don’t have to concern myself with money, thanks to the investments he made 12–13 years ago. He is my greatest role model: having grown up with very little himself, he did everything so that his children would never have to worry about finances. There is an invisible thread connecting all my works.

The images that millions of people view are born from a mixture of my past, my childhood, and my vision for the future. One of the greatest motivations behind starting OEZASE was to show people what has been developing in my mind for years. Since childhood, I have had a profound and intimate connection to art, and this is what continues to guide everything I create.

3. “OEZASE was here”: what is OEZASE today?

Today, OEZASE is much more than just a name—it is a bridge between my inner world, the art I create, and the millions of people who can experience it through Instagram and TikTok, regardless of where they are. In a sense, it transforms the global digital space into a place where art is instantly accessible; all it takes is picking up a phone.

I see OEZASE as a kind of online gallery—a space where no physical travel is necessary. Viewers can immerse themselves in my vision, exploring these images from the comfort of their own homes, or from anywhere in the world. It’s an intimate experience, yet shared collectively, connecting strangers through a universal language: art.

Through this project, I hope to show that art doesn’t need walls, tickets, or borders to move people. It’s about creating a space where thoughts, emotions, and ideas can travel freely, linking me to others and others to each other in ways that were once impossible.

4. Your works are almost shocking to look at. When and how did you start using AI tools in your artistic work? This choice is provocative: how would you define this provocation? How do you integrate AI into the creative process, from conception to realisation?

I have been working in graphic design for 14 years now, driven entirely by passion and from the heart.

For the most part, I work with all Adobe programs when creating my art—essentially a form of photo montage. I do use some AI tools occasionally, but sparingly, because I find that AI today isn’t yet sophisticated enough to work with exclusively. No matter which AI you use, the images tend to feel too unrealistic, carrying that unmistakable “AI stamp” that any eye can detect immediately.

My goal is to create images that almost resemble real photographs, for the sake of the art itself. In that sense, my greatest asset in this project is my 14 years of experience as a graphic designer, and the mastery of the Adobe suite that I bring to every piece. Most of my ideas for photo series come spontaneously.

When inspiration strikes, I immediately write it down in my notes and gradually bring the concept to life. But there’s one condition: I must feel each photo series 100%. If I don’t, I simply don’t publish it. The emotional connection to the work is essential—it must resonate with me fully before it can exist in the world.

5. What specific techniques do you use? What changes, if any, have there been in the style of work, moving from “traditional” to AI-generated, and what technical challenges have you had to overcome?

One could say my work is a harmonious blend of traditional graphic design practice and the selective use of modern tools. In practice, however, I rely far more on classical programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, and the rest of the Adobe suite than on AI.

Every project begins, as it always has, in my mind—in my thoughts and visions. My fundamental approach hasn’t changed over the years, even though the tools have evolved.

I develop my concepts mentally first: forms, compositions, colours, and emotions emerge in my head before any digital work begins. Only after this mental process do I employ Adobe programs to bring these ideas to life. AI is used sparingly, selectively, only when it adds genuine value without compromising the authenticity of the work.

The use of AI has not fundamentally changed my style—it has only complemented it. Technical challenges arise, such as integrating AI elements into my traditional workflow or fine-tuning outputs to align perfectly with my vision.

At the core, however, nothing has changed: the vision is born in the mind, the tools support it, and the final work is the result of a symbiosis between imagination, experience, and digital craftsmanship.

Courtesy of OEZASE

6. What is the “OEZASE trademark” that makes your work recognisable? How do you choose the right characters, and what factors should you consider when making this decision? How do you manage the risk of AI becoming too dominant in your work?

The signature of OEZASE lies in the mysterious, almost mystical aura of my works. Many of my images merge personal memories and experiences from my life with modern, digital, or urban elements, creating a visual language that feels both familiar and otherworldly, inviting viewers to explore the deeper stories behind each piece.

My childhood plays a particularly important role: the formative experiences from that time influence the choice of figures and motifs, giving the images depth and authenticity. Every element carries meaning and contributes to a harmonious composition.

I use AI only when I reach the limits of my own skills as a graphic designer. The vast majority of my work is created through years of experience with Adobe programs and many other tools. This allows me to maintain full control over the creative process, ensuring that human imagination remains the driving force behind every creation.

7. How do you deal with copyright, originality and artistic responsibility? To what extent does the artist remain the author when the algorithm produces significant parts? What defines artistic value when AI and human creativity intertwine?

In my works, I mostly feature public figures or entirely imagined characters, created from a blend of ideas, programs, and creative tools. Private individuals never appear—my art respects privacy and focuses on imaginary or recognizable figures that carry stories and convey emotion.

Each image is the result of hours of meticulous work: a fusion of thoughts from my mind, years of experience with Adobe programs, and various other creative tools. The vision is gradually realized until the piece fully reflects my imagination.

For me, the artistic value lies in human creativity itself. Intuition, emotional depth, and aesthetic decisions shape every work. Tools—whether software or other aids—serve only to support the process; they never replace the imagination that forms the very heart of my art.

8. Your work elicits strong reactions in online comments, as can be seen. What feedback do you receive from the public and the market? How are the works received? How would you like the public to interpret AI art?

The reactions to my work are varied, but about 90% of the feedback is genuinely praise. Most people ask me how I even come up with these ideas, which I find both fascinating and motivating. Of course, there are critics as well—but that is true of anything a human creates.

No matter what you do in life, there will always be those who praise your work and others who criticize it, even if you tried to catch a pigeon with your bare hands.

I take most criticism to heart, using it to grow as an artist, but I draw the line when it becomes offensive. Feedback is part of the creative journey, and even critical voices can offer valuable lessons—provided they remain constructive.

9. How do you integrate human creativity into the process and maintain artistic identity despite the automated possibilities? How do you see your relationship with AI evolving in the coming years?

I integrate my human creativity and artistic identity into every part of my work and every process. From the initial idea to the completion of a photo series, everything carries my vision and emotional investment. As I mentioned before, if I don’t feel it completely, and if I don’t believe that hundreds of thousands of people will feel the image in the same way; I simply do not release the series.

There have even been photo series I worked on for over a week that I ultimately chose not to publish because I couldn’t fully feel them from the heart. For me, authenticity and emotional resonance is essential; a work must live within me before it can truly reach others.

I believe that AI is currently only at about 20% of its potential. Images created entirely by AI often look too unreal, and anyone can immediately tell they are not genuine. That is not the case with my work: I strive to make each photo series look as close to a real image as possible.

This is why I always say that one cannot speak of AI alone. People don’t realize that behind all these photo series and images stands someone who was already successful with his works before OEZASE. I have achieved 95 million streams with the cover artworks I designed for various artists’ songs, and a gold record for a particularly successful track already hangs on my wall – all before OEZASE even existed. And my vision goes beyond this: one day, I want my children to see my art everywhere. This is one of my greatest goals and a driving force behind everything I create.

10. How will the technological, regulatory and cultural context influence your work? What advice would you give to young artists who want to experiment with artificial intelligence?

Technological, regulatory, and cultural developments will undoubtedly change the way art is created and perceived. For me, this is not a limitation but an opportunity: new tools and platforms open possibilities to realize my visions and reach people in ways that were previously unimaginable. At the same time, it requires responsibility—to choose consciously which means to employ and to always keep one’s artistic identity at the centre.

My advice to young artists experimenting with artificial intelligence would be to see it as a tool, not a replacement for their own creativity. The essence of art remains human: intuition, feeling, and experience shape every work. Use the possibilities of AI to explore new perspectives and expand your ideas but never lose what makes you unique as an artist.

For me, OEZASE is an example of how traditional craftsmanship, years of experience, and modern technologies can merge without losing authenticity. It is not about who operates the tool, but whose spirit and soul shape the work.

11. If you could leave a message to yourself at the beginning of your creative journey—or to your future self—what would it be?

If I could leave a message to my younger self, I would say:

Be patient with yourself and with the world. Everything you create begins as a fleeting thought, a vague vision in your mind, and only becomes tangible through countless hours of work, doubt, and mistakes. Learn to endure the emptiness, to embrace uncertainty, for it is precisely there that ideas are born ideas that can one day touch millions.

And to my future self, I would say: Never forget where you come from. The roots of your art lie not only in your skills, but also in your family’s history, in the dreams of your grandparents, in the memories of your childhood, and in the experiences that shaped you. Never let numbers, success, or the opinions of others guide you—follow only what your heart feels.

In the end, it is not about how many people have seen your work, but that it has lived and been felt through you—and that one day, your children can see and understand all that you have created with so much passion. It is a quiet hope: that they will realize behind every image, every photo series, lie years of searching, doubting, and dreaming—that art is not only made, it is lived.

For me, it’s not only about the present moment, but about the lasting impressions my art can leave— in the minds, hearts, and even lives of people. I would also add that it is especially important to me that my art accompanies not only myself but also, my family and future generations. I want my children to one day see my work, understand it, feel it, and perhaps even be inspired by it. My art is not merely an expression of creativity, it is a legacy, a bridge connecting past, present, and future.

Every image contains not only my vision but a part of my soul, and I deeply

feel how it can affect, move, or provoke thought in people. This responsibility is a central

reason why I work so deliberately and consciously.” The true power and value of my art lie in human creativity, intuition, and the years of experience behind every image. AI is at most a tool—it is never the driving force.

Through the vision of a grandson of a migrant worker, my art has now reached millions: OEZASE – CREATIVE STUDIO has been seen by 40 million people in just the past six months. And I am far from finished with my art. My goal is that one day the whole world knows this name. It may sound like a grand wish, but who, six months ago, when I started this project, would have thought that after just six months, 40 million people would

already be experiencing my art?