BIOGRAPHY

YILDIZ V. MORAN, SELF-PORTRAIT, Istanbul, Turkey 1955

YILDIZ V. MORAN

Yıldız (Vahid) Moran was born in Istanbul in 1932. She became interested in photography in 1950-51, at the age of eighteen, and continued taking photos until 1962. Nearly 10,000 of these photos, very few of which were printed, are meticulously preserved and archived by the artist’s family.

Yıldız Moran was the daughter of Vahid Moran, who wrote and published the Great Turkish-English Dictionary in the Latin alphabet in 1924, before the alphabet reform. She studied high school at Robert College. The depth of perspective on language she developed from childhood was always evident in her photographs. Her art has been described by many as almost ‘an art that is about to crush literature’. When asked about this, she explained that she was drawn to anything that contains poetry. Her poetic language had a musicality that accompanied the records she listened to — and made others listen to as well — while taking photos. Yıldız Moran’s photographs were vocal and often very loud. On the other hand, she began taking photos while pursuing her desire to become a painter. In addition to music and poetry, her photos were like paintings, as abstract and dark as possible. Moran, with the ability to translate any form of art into photography in her own ‘great’ dictionary, was once asked, "Do you think you have the chance to express yourself through this medium?" Her answer was, "Partially."

Encouraged by her uncle, art historian Mazhar Şevket İpşiroğlu, Moran went to London in her last year at Robert College in 1951. She spent time there learning photography at Bloomsbury Technical College, a business school focused mainly on the post-processing aspect of photography. Shortly after, she enrolled at Ealing Technical College, a school known for its artistic and conceptual approach. She then worked with the assistants of one of London’s well-known photographers, Baron, before starting to work for John Vikers, the photographer for the Old Vic Theatre. Specializing in portrait photography, Moran opened her own studio in 1955, shortly after returning to Turkey. Although she was primarily focused on portraits, Moran was also interested in landscapes. This may be why she photographed portraits as landscapes and landscapes as portraits. Her frames, where she emphasized corporeality in geography, created some of her most striking works.

Despite objections from her professors in England, Yıldız Moran continued working with her ‘little machine’, the Rolleiflex. She always preferred black-and-white photography, perfectly adjusting the contrasts, grays, and light and shadow. However, it wasn’t the technical knowledge that made her work impeccable. Although often referred to as ‘the first professional female photographer with academic training’, Yıldız Moran described technical skills as essential for a photographer, but as a simple tool "to make the blind eyes see." In her own words: "What really matters can be found apart from the technique." Perhaps the Rolleiflex, held just below chest level, made her forget that what she was holding was an actual ‘machine’, and that her job was mechanical, technical, or academic. In the same way, the Rolleiflex distanced her from the common belief that a photograph reflects ‘objective’ images since you take it by looking through the ‘lens’. Yıldız was able to see with her heart, with her womb!

She took her very ‘subjective’ perspective on a solo trip in 1952, when she was just twenty years old, traveling through England, Italy, Spain, Portugal, North Africa, and Austria. After Europe, between 1954 and 1958, she toured Anatolia with a team led by Mazhar Şevket İpşiroğlu and Sabahattin Eyüboğlu to create a documentary corpus on Anatolian civilizations.

In 1963, she married Özdemir Asaf and gave birth to three children in four years. In the same year, she translated a selection of Özdemir Asaf's poems into English, which was published in a book titled TO GO TO. She held her last photography exhibition in 1970 in Istanbul. After that, she only participated in retrospective exhibitions. She gave up her professional photography career and began working as a dictionary writer and translator.

Between 1981 and 1987, she prepared the complete works of Özdemir Asaf for publication and translated some of his poetry and prose into English.

In 1982, the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts Photography Institute awarded her honorary membership in recognition of her contributions to the art of photography.

Yıldız Moran passed away on April 15, 1995, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable photographs. Although her active career spanned only 12 years, she continues to influence future generations and remains a significant figure in the world of photography, with her works featured in museums, books, and exhibitions.

Exhibitons:

2024: Photo London 2024, London, England

2024: The 6th Mardin Biennial, Mardin Turkey

2023: “Kindness of the Shadow” Adas & Galeri Nev, Istanbul, Turkey

2022: “Kindness of the Shadow” Galeri Nev, Ankara, Turkey

2022: “Another Round” Kendi Collection & Galeri Nev, Istanbul, Turkey

2022: “O!” Galeri Nev, Ankara, Turkey

2021-22: “I-You-They: A Century of Artist Women” Meşher, Istanbul, Turkey
2021-22: “My Eyes Are On You Istanbul” İBB Mecidiyeköy Sanat, Istanbul, Turkey
2021: “Respect for Masters” Luca Fine Art, Istanbul, Turkey
2020-21: “Presentation Room – I” Pilevneli Dolapdere, Istanbul, Turkey
2018-19: “Yıldız Moran: A Mountain Tale” The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Turkey

2018: “Yıldız Moran Photographies” Turkish Consulate-General in Geneva, Switzerland

2018: “Timeless Photographs” AKS, Antalya, Turkey

2017: “Find Me” Aksanat, Istanbul, Turkey

2016: “Timeless Photographs” FotoIstanbul 2016, Istanbul, Turkey

2016: “People Attract People” The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Istanbul, Turkey

2015: “Artist in Their Time” Collection Exhibition, The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Istanbul, Turkey

2014: “Focus: Turkey” Landskrona Center for Contemporary Art, Landskrona, Sweden

2014: “Timeless Photographs” City Museum, Eskişehir, Turkey

2013: “Timeless Photographs” Pera Museum, Istanbul, Turkey

2012: “In what language shall I tell you my story” Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, Hollanda

2011: “Untitled” – “Solo” 12th İstanbul Biennial, Istanbul, Turkey

2008: “Turkish Realities” Fotografie Forum, Frankfurt, Germany

2004: “In Memory of Yıldız Moran – Vintage Prints” 4th Ankara Photography Days, Ankara, Turkey

1998: “Retrospective – Vintage Prints” Adam Arthouse, Istanbul, Turkey

1970: “Lands and People of Anatolia” Beyoğlu Art Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey

1962: “The Life, People and Landscapes of Turkey” British Council Center, Edinburgh, Scotland

1960: “Retrospective” Türkisch-Deutsche Zusammenarbeit (Turkish-German Culture Society), Istanbul, Turkey

1957: “Retrospective” Moderno, Istanbul, Turkey

1956: “Retrospective” Hilton Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey

1955: “Landscape: Europe & Turkey” Sanatsevenler Kulübü, Ankara, Turkey

1955: “Retrospective” Studio, Istanbul, Turkey

1954: “Lands and Peoples of Europe” The Camera Club, London, England

1954: “Solo Exhibition” The YWCA Central Club, London, England

1953: “Lands and Peoples of Europe” The Camera Club, London, England

1953: “Solo Exhibition” Trinity College, Cambridge, England

Books:

2018: “Yıldız Moran” Photographers Series, Eczacıbaşı

2017: “Find Me” Exhibition Catalogue, Aksanat

2016: “Timeless Photographs” FotoIstanbul 2016 Exhibition Catalogue, Beşiktaş Municipality

2016: “People Attract People” Exhibition Catalogue, The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

2015: “Artist in Their Time” Collection Exhibition Catalogue, The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

2014: “Focus: Turkey - The Lady Who Touches The Light” Exhibition Catalogue, Landskrona Foto

2013: “Timeless Photographs” Exhibition Catalogue, Pera Museum Publication

2012: “In what language shall I tell you my story” Exhibition Catalogue, Stedelijk Museum Schiedam Catalogue

2011: “Untitled” – “Solo” Exhibition Catalogue, 12th Istanbul Biennial, IKSV

2008: “Turkish Realities” Exhibition Catalogue, Fotografie Forum Frankfurt Catalogue, Kehrer

1998: “Yıldız Moran Photographer” Exhibition Catalogue, Adam Publishers

1953: “Spain and Portugal Travel Guide” Nicolas Kaye Publishers

Dictionaries:

1994-95: “Music Dictionary” (not completed)

1992-95: “Moran An English-Turkish Dictionary” (not completed)

1988-89: “A. Vahid Moran A Turkish-English Dictionary” Updated 4th Edition, Adam Publishers

1987-92: “Synonyms Thesaurus with Antonyms & Opposite Meanings Dictionary” Spatyom Publishing

1984-87: “Advertising Dictionary” Cenajans/Grey Advertising

1982-85: “A. Vahid Moran A Turkish-English Dictionary” Expanded 3rd Edition, Adam Publishers

1969-71: “A. Vahid Moran A Turkish-English Dictionary” Updated 2nd Edition, Turkish Ministry of National Education

Editorial Works:

1995: Study: Reading Zindanı Balladı, Oscar Wilde, Çeviren: Özdemir Asaf, 6 45 Yayınları

1988: Unpublished Essays: ’Ça, Özdemir Asaf, Adam Publishers

1987: Unpublished Stories: Dün Yağmur Yağacak, Özdemir Asaf, Prepared by: Olgun Arun, Adam Publishers

1986: Complete & Unpublished Aphorisms: Yuvarlağın Köşeleri, Özdemir Asaf, Prepared by: Gün Arun, Adam Publishers

1983: Unpublished Poems: Benden Sonra Mutluluk, Özdemir Asaf, Prepared by: Doğan Hızlan, Adam Publishers

1982: Complete Poems 1: Bir Kapı Önünde, Özdemir Asaf, Adam Publishers

1982: Complete Poems 2: Yalnızlık Paylaşılmaz, Özdemir Asaf, Adam Publishers

Almanacs:

1973: “Moran College 1972-73”

1972: “Moran College 1971-72”

1971: “Robert College 1970-71”

1971: “Moran College 1970-71”

1970: “Moran College 1969-70”

Translations:

1986: “Lands and People, Volume I, Volume 6, Grolier, Medya Holding

1984-87: Cenajans/Grey, Advertising Translations

1983: “Export Financing” TSKB (Industrial Development Bank of Turkey)

1982: “One Minute Manager” Kenneth Blanchard & Spenser Johnson, Cenajans/Grey

1979: “Pre-Ottoman Turkey” Claud Cohen, E Publishing

1974-81: Rolls-Royce Diesel Engines Turkish Distributor Tarmo Tarım – Technical Translations

1970: “A Study of History” – Chapter I - Arnold Toynbee, Milliyet Publishing

1964: “Corners of the Round” Özdemir Asaf Aphorisms, (not published yet)

1964: “To Go To” Özdemir Asaf Poems, Sanat Printery

Nisvan | Women Who Write Their Names into the History | Short | 07:48

Sous-Titres Français

TRT Documentary
Published in September 2011.

Nisvan, representatives of the profession in Turkey as the first woman to life starting with successful women is the subject of a biographical documentary series.

BIOGRAPHY

Nisvan | Women Who Write Their Names into the History | Short | 07:48

TRT Documentary Published in September 2011.

TRT Documentary
Published in September 2011.