A selection of photographs of Istanbul from the archive of Faik Şenol, one of the pioneering photographers of the Republican era, is now on display at the “Memory of the City” exhibition. The exhibition can be visited free of charge at Taksim Sanat until July 31.
These images, which bear witness to Istanbul’s past, bring the city’s history into the present through the lens of master photographer Faik Şenol. Organized by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s cultural affiliate Kültür AŞ, the exhibition offers visitors a nostalgic window into the historical layers of Istanbul.
Born in Istanbul in 1912, Faik Şenol began his journalism career at the age of 15 as a photojournalist for Vakit newspaper. Throughout his career, he worked for prominent newspapers such as Akşam, Yeni Sabah, Tanin, Tan, Hürriyet, and Memleket, and published work in magazines such as Yedi Gün and Olimpiyat Spor.
Beyond journalism, Şenol played a significant role in visual documentation in the history of Turkish media. He was one of five photographers featured in a major 1939 photo album on Atatürk. He was also part of the team that prepared Turkey’s first sports encyclopedia in 1946 and was among the founders of Hadise Publishing House, through which his writings and photographs on Istanbul reached readers.
The works in Faik Şenol – Memory of the City not only document Istanbul of a particular era but also offer an opportunity to rediscover the city’s identity, transformation, and spirit through a contemporary lens. From political history to daily life, urban landscapes to human portraits, his photographs reflect the visual memory of Istanbul across a wide spectrum.
Faik Şenol’s visual archive is now preserved by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Kültür AŞ. It serves not only as a historical source but also as a vital reference for art, documentation, and collective memory.
Located on the -1st floor of the Taksim Metro Station, Taksim Sanat is a public exhibition space managed by IBB Kültür AŞ. The venue aims to support independent and original artists while making contemporary art accessible to a broad audience. Those who wish to see Faik Şenol’s captivating images of Istanbul can visit the exhibition free of charge until July 31.
