Step into the captivating world of Van Leo, the late Armenian Egyptian photographer whose enigmatic pseudonym led him to become one of the Arab world's most celebrated studio photographers from the 1940s to the 1960s. Becoming Van Leo at the Hammer Museum marks the first international survey of his remarkable work, tracing his artistic evolution from the 1930s to the 1990s.
Born Levon Boyadjian in Turkey in 1921, Van Leo's family later moved to Egypt, where he found his passion for photography. The exhibition takes us on a fascinating journey, starting with his early experiments using friends and family as models in the 1930s. In the 1940s and 1950s, Van Leo turned the lens on himself, exploring self-portraiture with remarkable creativity.
Through his studio work, extending well into the 1990s, Van Leo's artistry shines, blurring the boundaries between art and craft. His life and work embody a rich tapestry of influences, reflecting his diaspora story and cosmopolitan experiences. The retrospective presents a unique opportunity to delve into the complexity of this transnational and intersectional artist, challenging conventional notions of East and West.
