Exhibition Of The Month: In The Footsteps Of Ara Güler

Capturing through his lens the poetry of everyday life, Ara Güler was a Turkish photojournalist that depicted the world around him with effortless charm. While his photorealistic lens focused on the quotidian, the artistic vision did not escape him, whether it was photographs of Turkey’s vibrant streets or portraits of 20th-century celebrities.

Bringing to life stories of his city, which at the time was emerging from centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman dominance, Güler focused on what was evident, lending his talent to forming an impressive visual reportage for newspapers around the world. From breathtaking minarets to the daily toil of the working-class, there was not much the newspaperman did not document. While he did not attribute the artistic to his work, it was without doubt embedded in all his snapshots.

In the Footsteps of Ara Güler: Exploring the Photographer’s Legacy, curated by Sheikha Maryam Al Thani and the Ara Güler Museum, offers art enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the spirit of Güler’s Turkey, complete with a collection of his correspondence, equipment and other personal memorabilia.;

The exhibition is divided into four sections, beginning with Güler’s images of Istanbul and concluding with his experimental film, Hero’s End. The first section, titled Eternal Tapestry, lets the viewer take a walk through Istanbul, Güler’s home and favourite muse. Men at the coffee shop in Beyoğlu or boats docked at Karaköy, the black-and-white archival prints on display tell tales of the enchanting city. Echoes of the Past, the second section, focuses on the artist’s passion for documenting archaeological sites around the world while emphasising the role of photography in preserving the past and its legacy. The third section, In Good Company highlights the several renowned figures Güler has photographed, from Salvador Dalí to Sophia Loren. The exhibition ends with Güler’s experimental film, Hero’s End which is made up of historical drawings and photos combined with Güler’s own footage. 

Ara Güler’s works are part of multiple collections in museums across the globe including the Paris National Library of France, New York's George Eastman Museum and Nebraska’s Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery. He is also a recipient of the Master of Leica in 1962, Lucie Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2009 and the Leica Hall of Fame Award in 2016 among many others.

In the Footsteps of Ara Güler: Exploring the Photographer’s Legacy is on show at The Museum of Islamic Arts, Doha, Qatar until 9 November 2024. Learn More