BEGUM YETIS: (b.1987, Istanbul, Turkey) studied film at the University of Southern California between 2004-2006 and holds her BA in Photography from Istanbul Bilgi University. Her works develop around representations of identity, and takes inspiration from a wide range of subcultures. Her photographs are raw and candid with a strong focus on sexuality whether it’s provoking or intimate. Her works have been published in magazines such as Dazed&Confused, Interview and The Face. Begum currently lives and works in London.
During her studies in photography her first subject was self portraiture. The exploration her own identity through her father came through with a project called ‘What’s mine is yours’ that questions the relationships we develop with our parents from a young age. The project captures herself as her father alongside an image of her father as himself, indicating the similarities that exceeds age and gender. She later moved her lens on to friends, and familiar subjects that would help her observe the human nature from a closer perspective.
In 2016 she moved to London and published her first zine titled ‘It’s Me Billie’. The zine explores the idea of photography as memory while exploring one’s role in the portrayal of their identity. Believing in continuous documentation of her surroundings, she forms a line which represents her new life as ‘Billie’ seen in the title, and reconstructs herself in these new experiences.
Her constant curiosity in representations of identity later displayed itself in her first solo show called Bare With Me, 2018 where she explores the various states of undress, while capturing honest almost heroic portraits. Her subjects are diverse in age, race and gender, and communicate a strong feeling of pride and power. The exhibition held at Doomed Gallery in London and Eksibir, Istanbul later that year. A collection of images from the show came together into a zine in early 2019 and is currently stocked in cities such as NYC, Tokyo and London.
During her studies in photography her first subject was self portraiture. The exploration her own identity through her father came through with a project called ‘What’s mine is yours’ that questions the relationships we develop with our parents from a young age. The project captures herself as her father alongside an image of her father as himself, indicating the similarities that exceeds age and gender. She later moved her lens on to friends, and familiar subjects that would help her observe the human nature from a closer perspective.
In 2016 she moved to London and published her first zine titled ‘It’s Me Billie’. The zine explores the idea of photography as memory while exploring one’s role in the portrayal of their identity. Believing in continuous documentation of her surroundings, she forms a line which represents her new life as ‘Billie’ seen in the title, and reconstructs herself in these new experiences.
Her constant curiosity in representations of identity later displayed itself in her first solo show called Bare With Me, 2018 where she explores the various states of undress, while capturing honest almost heroic portraits. Her subjects are diverse in age, race and gender, and communicate a strong feeling of pride and power. The exhibition held at Doomed Gallery in London and Eksibir, Istanbul later that year. A collection of images from the show came together into a zine in early 2019 and is currently stocked in cities such as NYC, Tokyo and London.
Exhibitions and Fairs:
2020/06:
2019/05:
2018/10:
2018/08
2019/05:
2018/10:
2018/08
The Earth Issue, Online Fundraiser
SORT Print Fair, London, UK
Bare With Me, Eksibir, Istanbul, Turkey
Bare With Me, Doomed Gallery, London, UK
SORT Print Fair, London, UK
Bare With Me, Eksibir, Istanbul, Turkey
Bare With Me, Doomed Gallery, London, UK
Artist Books:
2019/05:
2018/07:
Stockist:
2018/07:
Stockist:
Bare With Me zine, 38pp single sided risograph prints, self-publication
It’s Me Billie zine, A5 40pp edition of 100, self-publication
Reminders Photography Stronghold 131-0032, 2-38-5, Higashi-mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan / Tenderbooks 6 Cecil Court, UK / Photobook Library 4 Leonard Circus, UK
It’s Me Billie zine, A5 40pp edition of 100, self-publication
Reminders Photography Stronghold 131-0032, 2-38-5, Higashi-mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan / Tenderbooks 6 Cecil Court, UK / Photobook Library 4 Leonard Circus, UK
Press:
2022:
2021:
2021:
2019:
2019:
2019:
2018:
2018:
2018:
2018:
2018:
2021:
2021:
2019:
2019:
2019:
2018:
2018:
2018:
2018:
2018:
A Guide to the Sexiest Photobooks, The Face
Ten Photographers Reflect on the Past Year
Womanhood, Seen by 12 Inspiring Female Photographers, Another magazine
Seven Photography Books To Buy Now, Another magazine
This New Zine Captures People Baring It All, Another magazine
Sort curates: goths most talented, The Face
Exploring contemporary erotica through bulging pants and assless chaps, Hero Magazine
Photographer and Stylist Capture People Baring It All, Another Man magazine
NSFW show, Bare With Me, opens for one night only, It’s Nice That
What to watch, see and do in the UK this week, i-D
Art shows to leave the house for this month, Dazed Digital
Ten Photographers Reflect on the Past Year
Womanhood, Seen by 12 Inspiring Female Photographers, Another magazine
Seven Photography Books To Buy Now, Another magazine
This New Zine Captures People Baring It All, Another magazine
Sort curates: goths most talented, The Face
Exploring contemporary erotica through bulging pants and assless chaps, Hero Magazine
Photographer and Stylist Capture People Baring It All, Another Man magazine
NSFW show, Bare With Me, opens for one night only, It’s Nice That
What to watch, see and do in the UK this week, i-D
Art shows to leave the house for this month, Dazed Digital
Publications:
2024:
2024:
2024:
2023:
2019:
2019:
2018:
2024:
2024:
2023:
2019:
2019:
2018:
Altered States, Winter 2024
Interview Magazine, Jodie Comer, Summer 2024
The Face Magazine, Summer 2024
Dazed and Confused Magazine, Winter 2023
Dada Volume I, Winter 2019
ByNWR.com by Nicolas Winding Refn, Smell of Female curated by Ben Cobb
Sort zine issue 4, Nov 2018
Interview Magazine, Jodie Comer, Summer 2024
The Face Magazine, Summer 2024
Dazed and Confused Magazine, Winter 2023
Dada Volume I, Winter 2019
ByNWR.com by Nicolas Winding Refn, Smell of Female curated by Ben Cobb
Sort zine issue 4, Nov 2018
Education:
2006-2010:
2004-2006:
2004-2006:
BA, Photography and Video, Istanbul Bilgi University, Istanbul, TR
Film Studies, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, US
Film Studies, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, US