"Turkishness" goes beyond nationality
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PrizeShortlist
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PhotographerGülcan Turhan, Netherlands
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Date of Photograph27 April 2022
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CategoryAsia
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Instagram
For this proud, flag-waving nation "Turkishness" goes beyond mere nationality, intertwining ethnicity, language, religion and class. This complex identity, despite the efforts of Atatürk, has led to divisions and, where some view themselves as more Turkish than others. These distinctions, also used politically, fuel social tensions and contribute to ongoing issues in Turkey today including marginalization of minorities and political polarization. The blurred lines of what it means to be Turkish continue to shape the country's national discourse and unity. This photo is a start of a research.
Gülcan Turhan is an Amsterdam-based photographer and IT professional. Born and educated in Ankara, she has been living in Amsterdam since 1987, where long-term observation of urban life has shaped her photographic practice. Deeply dedicated to photography, she approaches the medium as a way to engage with the world and to connect with people through shared, everyday experiences. Her work is rooted in street photography and guided by a strong interest in social life and documentary storytelling, focusing on moments that reveal human connection and broader societal dynamics.
Awards - PX3 Shortlisted in State of the World 2025
- World Street Photography 2025, Honorable Mention
- Street Photography Gallery 2025, Top 30 Blue Star Prize
- Street Photography France - Editor's Pick in Passages - 2026
- Street Photography Gallery 2026 Exhibition - Jamini Roy Gallery, ICCR, Kolkata
Studied photography at the Amsterdam Foto Academy, completing the first year of the program, and further developed her practice through numerous workshops organized by Magnum Learn and Venice International Photo Festival led by internationally recognized photographers.
