Side by side A cry of pain and helplessness in the face of the world’s indifference. The project of the Turkish artist Ugur Gallenkus

Ugur Gallenkus — an artist whose works bear the relentless truth about the world. His photomontages serve as a mirror reflecting the harsh realities of war, poverty, and displacement, the senseless losses, and the sufferings of millions. His paintings are not only art but also a cry of desperation, demanding attention to issues we often prefer to ignore. In each of his pieces, there is a strike to the depth of the soul, compelling us to face the truth and ask, "Why can't I stop this?"

Building a bridge between painful reality and art often requires not only talent but also courage. Ugur Gallenkus, a Turkish artist, managed to construct this bridge, infusing his works with a unique blend of realism and emotional depth. Viewing his pieces is an encounter with the uncovered wounds of the modern world, depicted through the medium of classical photomontage.

The artist does not create artificial beauty. Ugur's works have become not just a reflection of contemporary issues but a true mirror in which we see our own silent consent to what is happening in the world. His creativity appeals not only to emotions but also to reflections on how we can influence the changes we want to see.

A child affected during the bombardment by the Syrian (possibly Russian) army in the city of Aleppo.

Due to Russia’s war against Ukraine, hundreds of infants are forced to live in basements and shelters.

Russia’s war against Ukraine desecrates the fertile Ukrainian land.

Tens of thousands of people in Ukraine require medical assistance due to shelling by the Russian army targeting hospitals and clinics.

Grandfather kisses the girl who perished in Gaza during the shelling by the Israeli army.

Ugur's biography influences his creative vision. Growing up in challenging social conditions, he leverages his experiences to create works that resonate with many individuals, encompassing various pains and joys. His works become a bridge between individual experiences and collective consciousness.

His works, inspired by the calamities and sufferings of war, poverty, and displacement, have become his way of expressing bewilderment and pain. He employs photomontage as a tool to unite different events in a single piece and unfold complex narratives.

Palestinian women with children flee down the streets of Gaza after Israeli airstrikes.

The climate crisis that affects us all.

The father of this little boy, Munzir, lost his right leg when a bomb fell on him as he walked through a market in Idlib, Syria. His son, Mustafa, was born without lower and upper limbs due to tetra-amelia, a congenital condition caused by the medication his mother, Zeynep, had to take after being poisoned by nerve gas released during the war in Syria.

The corpse of a man, who perished as a result of Russian shelling, lies on the street in the city of Irpin, Ukraine.

Refugees are trying to receive humanitarian aid in the Balukhali camp (Bangladesh). At the same time, the World Cup is taking place in France.

Some regions of the African continent are experiencing the longest drought in the past four decades and are on the brink of famine.

With each new piece, Gallenkus expands his artistic range, introducing new elements and symbols that speak on the level of universal languages. Therefore, his works evolve into a constant dialogue with the viewer.

In Ugur’s recent works, we witness his reimagining of the theme of social justice. He not only documents tragedies but also voices a unique protest, emphasizing that each of us can be an agent of change in a world where silent consent to miseries often prevails. It seems that concern for the future is Ugur Gallenkus's motivating force. He creates not only works of art but also a provocation for viewers to contemplate their role in shaping the future.

A Gaza resident retrieves his daughter and niece from the only surviving place in their home after an Israeli strike.

Civilian bodies in the hospital after an airstrike by the coalition led by Saudi Arabia in Amran, northern Yemen.

A man beside the body of his neighbor, killed by the Russian army in February 2022 in southern Ukraine.

An Afghan child with an amputated limb practices walking with prosthetics in one of the International Committee of the Red Cross buildings.

Evacuation of a family from Severodonetsk, Ukraine.

"Throughout our history as Homo sapiens, we have become refugees due to economic, natural disasters, wars, and political events. One day, we all may and will be refugees. Today, these desperate people are used as tools in addressing political, economic, and other issues. This applies not only to Syrians. The border between America and Mexico, Palestinian refugees, etc. Politicians and religious leaders have always used these problems as tools for winning elections, gaining income, or pursuing their ideological goals. I believe it is in our hands to stop this."

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By Sergey Fomkin

2023