Using darkness within the frame as the main element of her compositions, Viviane Sassen delivers a distinct artistic expression focused on shadows. Her perception and understanding of colours and textures provide her with endless opportunities for experimentation.

Pushing the known boundaries of composition, portraits, light, and shadows, Sassen explores fascinating oddities through her unique approach to subjects and forms. The harsh lighting setups she often employs are influenced by her childhood in Kenya. The bright African sunlight and contrasting colours she recalls have become tools in her art, abstractly distorting or concealing forms. Her images, especially in the Umbra and Lexicon series, challenge stereotypical ideas of Africa. The people in her photographs become part of the narrative through the spontaneity of their movements, and she blurs the story by giving equal attention to objects. Thoughts of dreams, death, mourning, hope, and emptiness swirl in this hazy narrative, revealing the photographer’s desire to connect with others and with her childhood.

Our exhibition is ticketed. With this ticket, you can enter the exhibitions named Viviane Sassen / ‘In & Out of Fashion’ and Ebru Yıldız / ‘ Beyond the Spotlight: Chronicles in Music History’ at the Galata Greek School.

Viviane Sassen

28 September – 28 October 2024

Galata Greek School