 After her return to Istanbul in 1971, she was convicted of helping and abetting a political fugitive, and her passport was revoked for sixteen years, making her unable to travel or emigrate until 1987.This period witnesses a massive migration from the rural to the city, which significantly influenced her artistic language.Between 1975–81 Karamustafa taught Basic Design at the State School of Applied Fine Arts where she also completed her PhD titled “The Interaction of Painting and Poster.” She then left her position to pursue her artistic practice.