Nazif Topcuoglu

by helen608

Topcuoglu is a Turkish photographer who works primarily with female subjects. This stems from having been raised by women with no male influence, and his having grown up in a Turkish republican capital surrounded by liberal women whom he had deep respect for. Literary and rebellious, the women of Nazif Topcuoglu’s photographs exist in the virtual absence of men, there is little to restrain them. They are idealised women. Some of his images are based on old paintings and have strong connections to symbolism within art history. He explores the boundaries and boarders of innocence and experience, submission and dominance. Suffering, sacrifice and redemption are themes that are embedded in his photographs but rather than being used to show weakness they depict the powerful nature of the females within his work.