shado speaks to Alia Wilhem about the intersection of her art and politics, her DIY collage making and how collaboration is always key
JoinedMay 11, 2022
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I am a Turkish / German artist based in London. I was a longtime contributor at Rookie Mag, Tavi Gevinson's beloved magazine for teenage girls. Now I create collages, websites, packaging, clothes and larger art pieces for a variety of brands and publications, including i-D, The Atlantic, VICE, ELLE, MaxMara, Kathmandu, Lazy Oaf, WeTransfer and Boots. I also work as a freelance visual curator for WeTransfer and frequently collaborate with other artists in my spare time.
In April 2020, I co-founded Nearness, an online magazine that documents the various responses to changes brought on by COVID-19. The beautiful art and writing on the site encourages self-reflection, open conversations about mental health and a rare and real opportunity to slow down and process what is happening to us. Although it exists primarily as a digital space, it encourages readers to create tangible, homemade art through the use of printable collage kits.