The exhibition brings Avni Lifij (1886–1927) into focus, a key figure of Turkey’s 1914 Generation, through a rediscovery of his photographic work. The artists of the 1914 Generation were the first to receive formal training at the newly founded Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi (Academy of Fine Arts, now Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University), and were deeply influenced by Western art movements such as Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and Symbolism. Their work marked a decisive break from tradition, ushering in a new era of modernism in Turkish art.
Featuring 36 glass negatives meticulously reprinted using the platinum-palladium process by 1851.studio, the exhibition unveils these images for the first time in over a century. Curated by Dr. Necmi Sönmez, the collection spans early 20th-century scenes of Istanbul and Ankara, intimate family portraits, and evocative self-portraits. Lifij’s photographs, much like his paintings, reveal a mastery of composition and light, blurring the lines between documentation and artistic expression.
By questioning whether photography was a tool or an end in itself for Lifij, the exhibition highlights his role as a pioneer of modernism and a bridge between painting and photography. This thoughtful curation offers a rare glimpse into Lifij’s multifaceted artistry, cementing his legacy as both a painter and an innovator in early photography.
Alexndra de Cramer
Issue 66, December 2023
Turkey’s Centenary Issue
