MELIKE
Melike is a visual and street artist painting vibrant large-scale works that merge abstraction with figuration. Her art explores the relationship between humans and nature while addressing social issues. With flowing lines, rich colors, and a sense of movement, her work carries an emotional rhythm that invites reflection and connection.
Originally from Izmir, Turkey, she lived as a nomadic artist for five years, painting across the world before settling in Munich.
Im Interview
// Crucial question: Graffiti or street art?
Street Art
// What was your first work that you really celebrated?​​
First, a 150 square meter mural in Iceland
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// What percentage of your works were created illegally?
Not often, but definitely not in Germany. I don't have room for any trouble here.
// What tools do you usually use for your art, and what do you love about it?
I love to work with different tools. Mostly acrylics and sprays. Spray paints because they are fast and can be used on almost any texture. And I love working with markers, because they "flow".
// What role does your mental health play in the creative process?
Art is simply my way of being, it’s how I process the world and connect with myself. When I’m not creating, my mind doesn’t stay quiet. Without art, I don’t think my mental health would hold up. ​
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// If you were allowed to choose a spot for your art, what would you choose?
The more people who see it, the better! Ideally, a massive building in New York, the heart of the art world, or a public installation at MoMA. Or something more exotic, like an underwater piece somewhere in the ocean!
​​// What do you like to criticize with your art? What parts of the system do you disagree with?
Yes, definitely. I disagree with systems that limit freedom, suppress voices, and exploit both people and the environment: societal norms that overlook women, ignore nature, and disconnect us from our instincts. My art might come across as playful or colorful at first glance, but I am drawing freedom seekers, nature, animals and women. ​
// How do you deal with low blows while working on a work?
I take a break and seek out nature; blue and green help me reset. I always say, 'I need to get oxygen on my eyes,' meaning a real pause. And often, I come back with a fresh perspective and realize: not everything needs to be fixed.
// What three statements would you give to a newcomer?
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Not everything is going to be a masterpiece, just accept that.
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Networking is crucial; it opens doors and helps you connect with opportunities. If I hadn’t reached out, they wouldn’t have found me.
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Do not stop creating.
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