Ozge Samanci

About the Author

Ozge Samanci is a Turkish-American author, artist, and educator whose work bridges personal memoir and visual storytelling to explore themes of identity, gender, and cultural displacement. Born and raised in Turkey, she draws from her experiences navigating societal expectations and political upheavals to craft narratives that resonate with universal struggles for self-expression. Samanci's debut graphic memoir, Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey, vividly illustrates her journey from childhood dreams to adulthood realizations, blending poignant illustrations with candid prose. Now based in the United States, she teaches at institutions like Parsons School of Design, inspiring a new generation of creators to embrace their stories. Her interdisciplinary approach continues to challenge boundaries between text and image, making complex histories accessible and intimate.