Curators: Cüneyt Ayral - Dilara Kutay

“Today, at 81 years of age, Uwe Ommer has been tirelessly shooting pictures for 62 years. His “1000 Families” series has been exhibited in many cities, presenting images of 20th-century families. The “Families and Teens” series helped us to notice the families and their teenage children in Europe during the 20th century and, of course, entrusted them to the future. Uwe Ommer’s “Asian Women” and “African Women” series introduced us to women worldwide. Some of these photographs, erotic in nature, allow us to witness where and how eroticism is perceived.”

Cüneyt Ayral

Paris, 30.09.2024

Piramid Sanat opened the new season with the "Retrospective" exhibition of photographer Uwe Ommer. Curated by Cüneyt Ayral and Dilara Kutay, this special exhibition presented Ommer’s 62-year artistic journey with a unique opening event. The opening was attended by a large gathering of guests from Istanbul’s art scene.

Bedri Baykam, the founder of Piramid Sanat, addressed the art enthusiasts at the opening, reminiscing about the exhibitions he had organized with Uwe Ommer in the past at Galerie Lavignes Bastille and remembering gallery owner Jean Pierre Lavignes, who passed away in 1997. Following Baykam, Cüneyt Ayral, one of the curators of the exhibition, thanked Yahşi Baraz for teaching him curatorship and invited him to the stage, acknowledging Baraz’s significant contributions to the art world. The curators, Ayral and Kutay, expressed their honor in presenting a selection from Ommer’s long artistic journey, consisting of various series. Ayral also thanked Oya Delahaye, who introduced him to Uwe. He mentioned that this would be the last exhibition he curated, passing the torch of his more than 45 years of curatorial experience and knowledge to his young daughter, Dilara Kutay, amidst emotional applause. Kutay spoke about the importance of curating this valuable exhibition and her determination to preserve the legacy she inherited.

In his long-standing artistic journey, where he explored continents, cultures, and people, Uwe Ommer offers not only an aesthetic experience to the audience but also documents the different social structures, local dynamics, and the essence of cultures around the world. Ommer’s art serves as an important visual archive reflecting the complexities of the contemporary world.

The Retrospective exhibition can be visited at Piramid Sanat until December 15, 2024.

For more information: Elif Baş

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