Organized by the Turkish Presidency, the exhibition containing the works of Ara Güler, a photographer and photo journalist who died last year, met with art lovers in Paris, the capital of France.
The exhibition inaugurated at the Paris's famous art gallery Polka Gallery was attended by Turkey's Ambassador to Paris Ismail Hakkı Musa, Chief Advisor to the President Fecir Alptekin, diplomatic representatives and, many Turkish and French guests.
The exhibition which constitutes mainly of Ara Güler's Istanbul photographs, also includes scenes of Anatolia and a selection of historical portraits from Jean Renoir to Nazım Hikmet, from Aşık Veysel to Salvador Dali, from Henri Cartier-Bresson to Brigitte Bardot. In the exhibition, 71 photos and 25 portraits were presented to art lovers.
In his statement to the press, Turkey's Ambassador to Paris Musa said that the exhibition was followed with interest and admiration by Turkish and French guests.
Musa emphasizing that the Ara Güler exhibition organized by the Presidency's initiative is a qualified exhibition stated that, “This is our story, that really shows Turkey in its human dimension and from a different perspective very nicely and presented to the likings of the French audience a high grade and magnificent event.”
Noting that Turkey has values in the cultural field that are unique in the world, Musa said that these should be presented to foreigners and that this is Turkey’s desire.
The first exhibition of Ara Güler was opened in London on April 23rd.
Will be held in 4 other cities
The exhibition, which was organized in collaboration with the Presidency and Doğuş Group Ara Güler Museum Archives and Research Centre, is expected to meet with art lovers in Kyoto, New York, Rome and Mogadishu following Paris.
Ara Güler, seen as one of the top seven photographers in the world holds the title "Master of Leica".
The “Ara Güler Exhibition”, whose main sponsors are Halkbank and Ziraat Bank, the official sponsor Turkish Airlines and media sponsors Sabah daily and Daily Sabah, will honour the memory of Güler in the international art platform by appearing in important museums and galleries abroad.
Foreword by President Erdoğan
The exhibition's book, whose preface was written by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was distributed to visitors in French, in Paris.
President Erdoğan described Ara Güler in the preface he wrote for the exhibition’s book as follows:
“Ara Güler was a truly global brand in his profession. The most important proof of this is the fact that all the important names that have left their mark on our world in the last 65 years with their political struggles, statesmanship, ideas, artworks and human sensibilities have passed in front of his lens. We, as the nation, are proud that the photographs he took throughout his long career that started in 1950 take place in the seat of honour at museums, collections and albums all over the world today. The adventure of Ara Güler, who puts Istanbul, where he was born and raised, in the centre of his life and art, is like a summary of our recent history. We will always respectfully remember him as one of the most ideal examples of the true artist profile in our country with his original, encompassing and productive style, free from bigotry.”