Ran Art is the result of many years of collaboration between two artists: photographer Mehmet Yamanlar and model Shelma Kullenberg (Sigrife). Each piece is created with meticulous planning and thought.
Mehmet Yamanlar was born in Istanbul in 1957, where he was introduced to the camera at an early age by Turkish photographers Ersin Alok and later Ara Guler. He moved to Sweden in 1980 and studied to become a media educator before starting work in the social sector. In recent years, he has fully returned to his passion for photography and has delved deeply into the craft.
Taking pictures is a journey filled with emotions and dedication. In my images, I try to capture the perfect light, the one you don't always see but is always there. What fascinates me is the complexity of life, both in light and in darkness. Photography for me is a kind of visual diary. It allows me to explore emotions and inner realities. I am constantly exploring who I am as a photographer. On my journey to discover this, I focus on capturing everything from warmth and beauty to love and emotions, all the energy and drama that play out in the interaction between light and darkness.
Shelma Kullenberg, also known by her artist name Sigrife, born in 1995, has her roots in the Bjäre Peninsula in Southwestern Skåne. She began her career in front of the camera during her teenage years in art and fashion in Sweden and abroad. Since then, she has run her own business and furthered her education in photography, creative entrepreneurship, and somatic dance.
“Modeling my own body is a craft in itself and a very demanding one at that. Through many years of experience as a model, I have learned to master and recognize subtle changes in facial expressions and body posture to convey specific emotions in a story. My studies in photography and somatic dance have refined my artistic vision and developed my passion for visual storytelling. I am curious about human behavior and want to understand what it means to be human - in all its complexity of aspects, physical sensations, emotions, consciousness, and the relationships we have with ourselves and our surroundings.”
All photographs are printed and framed at Martins Inramningar & Prints in Malmö