Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Gizem Saka obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Koç University in 1999.

In an interview, she mentioned that due to the large number of women in her family, she mainly observed feminine joys and sorrows.

Her 2013 exhibit at Boston University consisted of large scale canvases depicting 16th century Ottoman sailing ships.

Her new collection is titled Literature in Painting where she lines the canvas as if in a notebook, and writes favorite passages from literary works.

[7] She wrote a blog for PsychologyToday.com on behavioral economics; and was a guest at National Public Radio's Vermont Edition with Jane Lindholm in 2011, "Exploring The Connection Between Altruism And Cheating".