Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Defne came to the United States in 2004 for her university education. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, with her BFA in painting and her A.B. in psychology in 2009. She also has been attending Barbara Brennan School of Healing to obtain a professional degree in healing work. In addition to her studies, she competes as a ballroom dancer.

In her work, Defne explores the female body through color and line. She tears it into parts and pieces using latex, plaster, rice, and glue. She is interested in the interaction between men and women and how a woman’s body often becomes such a succulent object of desire for men, so much so that he frequently loses control. Coming from a male-dominant, sexist country, Defne is intrigued by and explores male excuses and weaknesses by investigating the female body.