Meltem Şahin | Multidisciplinary Artist, Illustrator & Animator | we[dot]art

Meltem Şahin is a multidisciplinary artist and designer whose creative practice encompasses animation, illustration, and emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence. Having grown up in Turkey and lived in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Baltimore, Meltem Şahin integrates Eastern and Western aesthetics into her artistic journey, drawing from history, mythology, and queer theory. She holds a master's degree in illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), where she studied as a Fulbright scholar. Her work frequently explores themes of womxn’s and LGBTQIA+ rights, resilience, and identity, aiming to reframe history from a feminist perspective and challenge rigid hierarchies. Meltem Şahin has achieved significant international acclaim, with her GIFs receiving over 310 million views and her work being selected for the permanent collection of the National Gallery in London. She has collaborated with major global organizations including Apple, Meta, and Giphy to create thought-provoking digital experiences. Notable solo exhibitions and projects include the curated AR exhibition "PMS," the "Woven Self" digital narrative, and her book "P is for Pussy." Through a visual language that questions superficial ideals rooted in race, status, and orientation, Meltem Şahin seeks to create bridges between cultures and spark essential conversations around human rights and social justice. Her work remains a space for empathy, reflection, and the celebration of human complexity.