Nilufer Yildirim on her layered painting practice and collaboration with HIGH The Journal

Turkish artist Nilufer Yildirim (born 1984 in Istanbul) discusses her painterly practice in an interview tied to her participation in HIGH The Journal, an editorial project curated by Artribune. Yildirim describes her work as oscillating between abstraction and figuration, exploring perception, memory, and identity. She builds surfaces through thick, layered applications of oil, acrylic, pigment, and ink, often scraping or reworking the canvas to reveal hidden traces—a process she compares to archaeology. Having lived in Istanbul, New York, and now Milan, she says each city has left an imprint: Istanbul's contrasts between tradition and modernity, New York's energy and risk-taking, and Milan's elegant tranquility and historical depth. She recently opened a studio in Milan, a city she studied in twenty years ago and considers home. Yildirim chose to support HIGH The Journal because of its commitment to depth, dialogue, and experimentation, values that align with her artistic vision. She praises the brand HIGH for its meticulous attention to craftsmanship and materials, embodying the essence of Made in Italy by blending tradition and innovation. The interview was conducted by Alessia Caliendo, with photography by Errico Fabio Russo, makeup by Lucrezia Florindi, and production assistance by Francesca Severino.