Good People of vitruta: Ece Ağrıtmış

Welcome to Good People of vitruta, Ece! Let’s start with our classic question: Who is Ece Ağırtmış? How did your journey begin, how is it going, and what do you do?

Thank you! I was born in İzmir in 1995. I always envision İzmir like a postcard—filled with palm trees and bright sunshine. This imagery shaped my lifestyle and even influenced my work. When I was a kid, I used to wear bikinis in front of an electric heater, even in winter! İzmir’s vibrant colors left a mark on both my personality and my art.

I first encountered painting materials thanks to my grandmother, who had a passion for painting and would give me her finest brushes. Together, we experimented with a variety of materials and paints. She once told me that I started painting when I was just three. Growing up around art, my middle school art teacher often encouraged me to enter art competitions, where I frequently earned top places, even saving up for my first computer from the awards. Later, I decided to pursue fine arts in high school, joining the painting department. High school was also my favorite period—filled with art workshops, foundational art training, and memorable music recitals with the students from the music department.

After a wonderful four years, I chose to study Graphic Design in university, likely influenced by my early thematic drawings. I got into Anadolu University’s Fine Arts Faculty in Eskişehir, where I studied for five years. During this time, I kept reflecting on what I’d do after graduation. The small sculptures I made with my grandmother, my father’s love for toys and woodworking, my design education, and İzmir’s colors all played a huge role in my style. Starting in my third year, I began adapting school projects into my own work, making them more enjoyable and taking on my first commissions. After graduating, I fully dedicated myself to my craft, eagerly absorbing everything I wanted to know—like a sponge. Now, I’m focused on sharing what I’ve collected.

Your artistic journey started in childhood. What led you to choose fine arts and focus on the art forms you create today?

Having grown up with art, I never considered anything else. I’m passionate about it. During my summer breaks, I attended intense courses in preparation for high school and university. It was like preparing for a big conquest. Particularly for university, we worked incredibly hard, tackling all possible challenges in the exams. This preparation system, although intense, never deterred me. As I added my own interests, my dedication deepened.

After university, what influenced you in shaping your journey as an artist?

After graduation, I felt quite lost, unsure of my direction. I focused on discovering what I truly enjoyed. While I explored other fields, I always found myself happily working on wood-based projects, accompanied by music. Now, concentrating solely on this makes me feel like I’ve emerged from a tangled field onto a clear path. Words like “wood, canvas, paint, brush, nail, saw, glue” feel like the right language for me.

Recently, your works have gained significant interest in major exhibitions. How does this attention affect your perspective and your work? Does it bring extra motivation or pressure?

It’s definitely motivating, like a reassuring pat on the back. Alongside this, there’s a gentle pressure to explore new ideas and push the boundaries, but I actually enjoy that. Stepping outside my comfort zone feels a bit stressful, but it makes me happy.

What inspires you most when creating your works?

I’d say my own happiness plays a big role. When I’m content, I start daydreaming with excitement about what I can create. An experience, a phase, a color—whenever I feel inspired, I quickly sketch out ideas and start working eagerly. I’ve always produced small, easy-to-handle works because I’m quite impatient. Now, though, I’m practicing patience to create larger, more challenging pieces. This new endeavor itself is a huge inspiration.

You’re also new to Istanbul and undergoing a period of discovery and adaptation. How’s that experience going for you? Which neighborhoods do you spend time in? What do you do in your free time?

Yes, I’ve been in Istanbul for about a year and a half. I used to visit frequently for exhibitions and concerts, but living here is a different experience. At first, it felt like a big, unfamiliar city. İzmir always felt familiar to me, like everyone was the same or connected somehow. Now, I’ve grown accustomed to Istanbul’s diversity. I still walk around with my head up, admiring and photographing the architectural details, but I’m getting used to it. There’s so much I haven’t seen yet, but it feels like gradually expanding the map in a computer game.

I spend most of my time in Beyoğlu and Kadıköy. During the day, I enjoy working in different spots in Kadıköy with good food, my laptop, and sketchbook. In the evenings, Beyoğlu’s nightlife appeals to me. I frequently go back and forth across the Bosphorus—I’m rarely at home!

Any books, podcasts, or films/series that have inspired you recently?

I recently went to an outdoor cinema with MUBI & Petra, where we watched Shiva Baby. It was a film I really enjoyed. These days, I find myself with a short attention span, so I tend to consume things quickly, picking up thinner books. I recently bought a coursebook to learn Arduino. Besides that, A Difficult Situation for Those Who Know by Timothy Dexter caught my eye, and I plan to start it soon.

Whenever we meet, you’re often sporting pieces from vitruta’s selection. What are your three favorite brands from vitruta?

Yes, I love vitruta’s collection—there’s nothing there that I’d say “I’d never wear.” My top picks would be: Rains, Lar Studio, and Birkenstock.