ABOUT THE ARTIST

Uğur Gallenkuş, born in 1990 in Niğde, Türkiye, is a digital collage artist based in Istanbul, where he both lives and works. Graduating with a business administration degree from Anadolu University in 2013, Gallenkuş initially navigated the corporate world. However, his artistic journey took an impactful turn in 2015 when a spontaneous reaction to the distressing image of Alan Kurdi, a two-year-old Syrian refugee, ignited his transformation into an artist and advocate.

Since then, Gallenkuş has gained international recognition for his brutally honest photo collages, known as "Parallel Universes," which juxtapose poignant photojournalistic imagery with scenes from peaceful lives. Featured in prominent publications like Juxtapoz Magazine, DIY Photography, and My Modern Met, his work has also graced exhibitions in Italy, Poland, Germany, France, Switzerland, Greece, and Türkiye.

Gallenkuş's collaborations extend to global advocacy organizations. Notably, his work supported the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Goals campaign in 2019, and in 2020, he contributed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign during the COVID-19 crisis. His impactful murals contrasting global inequality with the Kulczyk Foundation in Poland further underscore his commitment to positive change.

Selected for Arts Help's historic digital art exhibition in space, "Zero Gravity: Is This Our Earth?" in 2021, Gallenkuş's art transcends earthly boundaries to decry global injustices. Collaborating with The Lion’s Share Fund, co-founded by the UNDP, he drew attention to threats against biodiversity, wildlife conservation, and animal welfare.

Establishing enduring relationships with the World Health Organization Foundation since 2022 and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) since 2021, Gallenkuş leverages his art to support life-saving health services. His ongoing commitment continued with the WHO Foundation’s Human Kind social media campaign, showcasing artworks in support of critical health missions in Turkey, Syria, Ukraine, Sahel, and the Greater Horn of Africa. As a testament to his impact, he exhibited 30 collages in Geneva, Switzerland, raising awareness for medical aid in underserved communities worldwide.

In 2020, his first book, "Parallel Universes of Children," curated by his manager Arzu Tunca in Los Angeles, marked World Children’s Day. Aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the book features 50 collages conveying essential rights irrespective of circumstances. Gallenkuş's second book, "Parallel Universes of War and Peace," is set to be published on September 21, 2024, in honor of World Peace Day.