Akif Hakan

Akif Hakan - Dou Dou

Artist Biography: Akif Hakan is a Turkish-American photographer born in 1980 in Istanbul, Turkey. His career began in the United States in 2004 when he was hired as a cameraman in Miami. But then laid off, he found himself unemployed for a while, which gave him plenty of time to experiment with other visual arts, especially photography, which later became his true passion. He lives between Hong Kong, Istanbul and Miami. Akif Hakan's sensual photographs capture more than eroticism or glamour. Hakan carefully designs his characters and scenes, influenced by fashion, film, the history of photography and the experimental portraits of Man Ray. His goal is to go beyond the charted territories and break free from traditional photographic rules in order to combine different techniques and create a different kind of story. His glamorous shots, as well as his artistic nudes, have a strong cinematic feel. After a few years of hard work, Hakan became one of the best glamour photographers working between Asia and the United States. His portfolio features female models of different ethnicities, but especially Asian women with their soft and seductive femininity. Hakan is known for his ability to create tangibly intimate and voyeuristic sets, erotic scenes set in domestic spaces, such as bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. Recognized as one of the best "new generation" photographers by multiple fashion magazines and an International Color Awards finalist, he impresses with his ability to capture the intimate, domestic atmosphere and blend dark feelings with glamour and fashion.

 

Dou Dou (2019) Chromogenic print (C print) on RC paper. Signed and numbered on the back of the photograph. Certificate of authenticity signed by the artist is included. With a bold mix of fashion photos, artistic nudes, sensual portraits and stylized productions, Akif Hakan, an American photographer with Turkish roots, breaks free from the confines of conventional photography. Fearlessly fusing techniques and styles, he orchestrates a fascinating symphony of images that transcend borders. Each composition is a fantastic narrative, akin to capturing a fleeting moment frozen in time, drawing the viewer into a captivating story. Like a seasoned wanderer, Akif Hakan traverses a kaleidoscope of settings: from the mysticism of Japanese hotel rooms to the bustling streets of overcrowded Chinese cities to the desolate beauty of barren landscapes. Driven by an insatiable wanderlust, he unfolds the world as his grand stage, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and encounters throughout his odyssey. The resulting images emerge as vivid traces of expressionism, cinematic masterpieces woven with unusual amalgamations of color, animated details, captivating contrasts and subtle yet potent emotions.