The Must-see Sierra Leone Exhibition In Turkey: European photographer /artist Suzan Pektaş featuring one of Africa’s finest models from Sierra Leone Naomi Kay will be officially launched on the 13th of May ( Friday) and open to the public until 12 June 2022
Exhibition Coordinator: Eda Emirdağ
Time 17:00 ( 5 pm prompt )
Location: Barın Han Exhibition Center
Full Address: Binbirdirek, Boyacı Ahmet Sk. No:4,
34122 Fatih/İstanbul (Nearby çemberlitaş tramway station after BEYAZIT)
Suzan Pektaş‘s third solo exhibition titled ‘Naomi’ brings the journey of Miss Naomi Iye Kargbo, whose story the artist has been following since 2017, to the audience at Barın Han. The exhibition center is coordinated by Eda Emirdağ
Suzan Pektaş focuses on urban transformation, migration and women’s politics while exploring various forms of expression at the intersection of visual arts and documentary.
Her works have been published in international media such as Courrier International, LFI Magazine, Leica Camera, Lens Culture, 6MOIS, and RedMilk Magazine, and exhibited at various festivals.
Enriching her narrative by using different disciplines in her project exhibition ‘Naomi’, Suzan Pektaş is also looking for a self-portrait following Naomi’s footsteps.
Naomi Iye Kargbo is a lively young woman from Sierra Leone. She fled from Ebola in 2015 and settled in Istanbul with boundless determination and dreams in her head.
The project, which is shaped around topics such as migration, integration, dreams and the geography of dreams, includes works from different disciplines such as video, collage and installation by the artist, who is after getting to know people through photography and reflects this to her art practice.
During an interview with Salone Messenger about the documentary, Naomi Kay said ” I am excited about the fact that a European photographer / Artist Madam Suzan Pektaş will travel all the from Turkey to Sierra Leone to feature my incredible story. This is a testament that, no matter where you come from in life, if you are serious and determined, you will make it. I hope and pray that the young people growing up will watch and learn about my documentary when it is out. I want to thank Suzan Pektaş for travelling all the way to Sierra Leone to document all those amazing moments with me in my country”
Naomi Kay is a Sierra Leonean model, fashion designer and philanthropist. Naomi Kay was born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone where she attained her primary and high school education in one of the most renowned catholic schools in Freetown called Saint Joseph Secondary School for Girls (CONVENT)
Naomi later gained admission at the Fourah Bay College, the University of Sierra Leone where she briefly read Social Work.
Naomi Kay is presently pursuing Political Science and International Relations at Istanbul Aydin University, Turkey Europe. Away from university and modelling, Naomi is also a philanthropist. She is the Founder and CEO of a charity organization based in Sierra Leone – Naomi Kay Foundation – that supports underprivileged kids and girl-child education in Sierra Leone.
In 2008, Naomi Kay won the Miss Saint Joseph’s Convent Beauty pageant. She was the 2nd runner-up in the Miss Inter-Secondary School beauty pageant, in 2009. In 2016, Naomi Kay was crowned Face of Africa at the International Beauty Pageant in Istanbul Turkey. She also received the award of Best Designer/Dresser at the African Entertainment Awards in Turkey. Naomi Kay is set to represent Sierra Leone in the 2022 Miss Face of Humanity Beauty Pageant to be held in Canada.
Naomi Kay has participated in the Uzbekistan Traditional outfits display and several other laurels.
Social media handle
FB / IG @naomikaysl