Design Collection

Lily

“Lily” showcases traditional Turkish art created by women while highlighting the suppressed shamanic practices they perform using the spiritual motifs within the art forms. The compositions interpret traditional Turkish symbolism and motifs into a modern style, including women figures honouring the overlooked female presence in Turkey’s history. Each illustration represents rituals Turkish women have been performing for hundreds of years and still do this day.

Illustration

Asena

The wolf as an animal, a divine creature, and as a metaphor is one of the most common appearances of it in the Anatolian shamanic culture. The goddess/she-wolf "Asena" is believed to be the only ancestor of all women and her blood runs through all... More

Illustration

Bad Luck

Pouring lead to repel the evil eye is a tradition that is still being practiced and hundreds of years before. The person who is receiving the lead sits down on the floor on their knees with a white cloth over their face as hot lead gets poured into... More

Illustration

Blood-Stained Beauty

The tradition of women constantly knitting and learning how to make very intricate laces. The reason they did this is to give something not so valuable value. For example, a small piece of lace would get over an old broken radio in the house so... More

Illustration

Purification

Water is represented as a purifying element in Turkish symbolism and seen as a representation of the soul and life. The swirly patterns within the figures on the background are commonly found in rugs and ceramics representing the waves of the... More

Illustration

Soul's Gate

The heart of someone is considered to be the gate to their soul in Turkish beliefs. One of the most common motifs for heart and soul symbolization are carnation flowers. The motif in this composition is inspired by traditional rug patterns based on... More

Illustration

The Fortune Teller

Star readings have been performed by Turkish women for many years to interpret dreams and/or foresee the future. In this illustration, the sky and the stars have been represented by traditional patterns inspired the tulip figure, which is a common... More

Illustration

The Funeral of a Goddess

The ritual of henna burning has been performed for thousands of years which is a ritual that women do the night before their wedding day. At the beginning of the night, the bride places a piece of henna into her palms and burns it, as it burns,... More

Illustration

The Healer

In Anatolia, almost all shaman healers were women who would perform healing rituals with sacrificed animals using their blood and skin. Women’s powers come from the goddesses and the moon.

Illustration

The Mother

The Holy Mother figure adapted from the Virgin Mary with the figure of the evil eye, both often represented together in Turkey since they're seen as holy and protective figures. Virgin Mary has been adapted as another protective figure just like... More

Illustration

Womb

Moon symbolism and its connection to fertility in Anatolian culture. The symbols within the motif depict the phases of the moon. The woman figure embracing the motif symbolize the rituals and the bond between the moon and women. The motif placed on... More

Work by

Irem Coker

Illustration

“Hello! I'm a multidisciplinary artist focused on illustration and motion design. Feel free to check out my website for more.”