Güler Ates

This artwork is part of Ways of Seeing, a partnership between Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019 and the Government Art Collection. Ways of Seeing turns the borough into a gallery with 33 internationally renowned artists displayed in 28 unexpected locations.

What is a portrait? How do you recognise a person when you see them? What else can you find out from a photograph? 

The artist Güler Ates asks us to think about her photograph. The woman in it glows like a gemstone in a jewellery box. Her long blue veil trails behind her. We cannot see her face. Who is she?

The photograph is called Eternal Maharana and She II. This gives us clues. ‘Maharana’ was a special name used for royal rulers in India. ‘She II’ is Güler’s name for the woman. The photograph was taken in the City Palace Museum in Udaipur, a city in Rajasthan, India. Imagine talking to the woman. What could she tell us about her life in the palace?

Güler Ates was born in Muş in Turkey. She studied painting in Istanbul and London, where she lives today. She has travelled to different countries like Brazil, Holland and Portugal to make and show her art. She teaches at the Royal Academy Schools in London.

The artwork on display in this venue is available to view on specific dates only. Please sign up to our newsletter or follow our social media channels to be the first to find out when you can view it.

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