mustakemakima | photographic art

portfolio

Motion-blurred figures of people stroll through a blossoming orchard, the pink and white flowers of the trees forming a soft, dreamy backdrop. The image evokes a feeling of peaceful movement and springtime renewal.

A blurred image depicts a large crowd of people walking toward a monumental archway, creating a sense of movement and scale. The focus is intentionally soft, emphasizing the overall atmosphere and the imposing architecture.

A blurred figure walks through a city night scene, the motion of the person and the surrounding lights creating streaks of color and an impression of movement. The image uses light trails to evoke a feeling of speed and energy within the urban environment.

Bright, hot pink light streaks form abstract shapes against a completely black background, creating a dynamic and energetic composition. The luminous pink forms resemble interconnected tubes or flowing ribbons, suggesting movement and fluidity.

Light trails, appearing as a series of arched shapes in white and gold, create an abstract composition reminiscent of musical notation or a stylized cityscape at night. The image uses long exposure photography to capture streaks of light against a dark background.

Swirling, multicolored light trails create an abstract pattern against a black background; the vibrant red, blue, and orange lines evoke a sense of movement and energy.

statement

In my lens-based practice, I use digital camera for experiments in photographic art form. Currently, I explore generating non-representational, non-figurative and non-symbolic images.

Rather than capturing external world or what is already visible to the naked eye, I experiment with light trails by manipulating the camera through motion as a technique. The process involves sampling visual material from natural or artificial light sources during the physical movement of the camera, analysing the generated images, and then creating series or individual images as autonomous visual objects.

At the beginning of my practice, I used this technique to explore perceptions of reality. I manipulated scenes as reflections of life experiences shaped by perception, centred on disorientation and uncertainty, and thus blurred vision. Motion (representing constant change, instability) was the basis for manipulating the camera in these experiments, enabling me to create a somewhat distorted, abstract visual language.

Alongside this experimental work, in recent years I have also integrated more traditional approaches to my practice. Thus, my work has expanded by documenting socio-political themes such as the remnants of human atrocities, resistance to existence, queer experiences, and life both on the streets and in nature, including moving images in soundwaves.

A blurred, ghostly figure appears to be crawling across a wooden floor, its hands visible as it moves along the planks. The monochromatic image creates an eerie, unsettling atmosphere.

thick blue lines in alignment as concrete photography and generated photography

generated photography, concrete photograph

index

1. Soft Spiral on Pink Light, (from the series “experiMental”), 2024, print on Acrylic glass, edition of 3, each 80 x 60 cm

2. Downward Twist on a Building, (from the series “experiMental”), 2017, print on Acrylic glass, edition of 3, each 80 x 60 cm

3. Curved Glide on Led, (from the series “experiMental”), 2015, print on Acrylic glass, edition of 3, each 80 x 60 cm

4. Rotation on Blue Light, (from the series “experiMental”), 2023, print on Acrylic glass, edition of 3, each 80 x 60 cm

2. Rotation Twisted, (from the series “experiMental”), 2017, print on Acrylic glass, edition of 3, each 80 x 60 cm

3. Rotation Slide, (from the series “experiMental”), 2015, print on Acrylic glass, edition of 3, each 80 x 60 cm

oberbaumbruecke, warschauerstr. as an abstract image

istanbul skyline as abstract image done by ICM technique by mustakemakima

A heavily blurred image depicts the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens; the iconic Greek temple is almost entirely obscured by a hazy, indistinct atmosphere.

index

1. Swipe Down Kirschbäume, (from the series “silhouettes”), 2021, print on Acrylic glass, edition of 3, each 80 x 60 cm

2. Swipe Down Brandenburger Tor, (from the series “silhouettes”), 2017, print on Acrylic glass, edition of 3, each 80 x 60 cm

3. Swipe Right A Single Man, (from the series “silhouettes”), 2015, print on Acrylic glass, edition of 3, each 80 x 60 cm

4. Swipe Down Oberbaumbrücke, (from the series “Scapes”), 2017, print on Acrylic glass, 1 of 3 Edition, 60 x 40 cm

5. Slide Down Istanbul, (from the series “Scapes”), 2017, print on Acrylic glass, 1 of 3 Edition, 60 x 40 cm

6. Slide Down Acropolis/Parthenon, (from the series “Scapes”), 2016, print on Alu-Dibond, 1 of 3 Edition, 80 x 60 cm

shortbio

Mustafa Kemal Kim (b. Cyprus, 1990)
also known as musta kema kima
is a lens-based queer artist
based in Berlin since 2013.

Working across experimental and traditional photography for last decade, musta develops a visual language shaped by his engagement with the camera, light, and movement. Light often emerges both as subject and medium, while the boundaries of the photographic image are explored through the very structures of the medium itself.

During the pandemic, as time seemed to slow down, musta began capturing actual sceneries-a shift influenced by his return to Cyprus for several months- and his reflections on island’s division. This period was later followed by a focus on portraying his fellow queers engaged in berlin and cyprus queer communities.

His work has been exhibited in group exhibitions and art fairs across Europe, most recently in Bethanien Projektraum and in Stadt-Werkstatt Kreuzberg(by ArtKreuzberg e.V.) in Berlin.

A weathered stone bell tower, detailed with ornate carvings and columns, stands tall against a partly cloudy sky; a modern electric speaker is mounted near its top.

Overgrown with lush green vegetation, several weathered stone crosses mark simple graves in a secluded, possibly abandoned, graveyard. The crosses, some bearing inscriptions, are partially obscured by the encroaching plants.

Two church bell towers, one stone and one topped with terracotta tiles, are partially visible against a clear blue sky; evergreen trees partially obscure the view.

index

1. Converted by a star and a crescent, (from the project “Divided Island”), 2021, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, 60 x 40 cm

2. 'Foreigners Cemetery', (from the project “Divided Island”), 2020, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, 60 x 40 cm

3. Converted by Darkglass, (from the project “Divided Island”), 2020, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, 60 x 40 cm

4. Cracked home (from the project “Divided Island”), 2021, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, 60 x 40 cm

5. Municipality Building in Varosha/Ghost Town, (from the project “Divided Island”), 2021, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, 60 x 40 cm

6. Tree in the old house (from the project “Divided Island”), 2020, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, 60 x 40 cm

exhibitions

- 15. Festival der offenen Galerien, Kunstorte, Ateliers & StadtWERKSTATT, 2025

Stadt-Werkstatt (Adlerhalle), Berlin

- Art Kreuzberg e.V trifft Kiezwoche, 2025
Salon Halit Art, Berlin

group exhibition with Hulusi Halit/ Sinem Vardar/ Söre / Uta Feldten-Drost

- "Future Alchemists", 2024
Bethanien Projektraum, Berlin
group exhibition with Adrianne Gojak, Carola Ernst, Frauke Beeck, Heesun Kim, Malli Hellström, Sabine Kelka, Sonja Schön, Teresa Gruber.

- "Heimat!", 2024
Salon Halit Art, Berlin
collaboration with Hulusi Halit – Sholeh Zahraei & Kamil Saldun.

- LINE+COLOR, 2023
lite-haus projektraum, Berlin
a group exhibition curated by Debbie Davies.

- 5th C.I.P. , 2021
Blank Wall Gallery, Athens - Chania, Greece

- "human touch", 2019,
15th Paratissima Art Fair, Italy
a group exhibition curated by Laura Pieri & Paolo Lolicata

- 1st Chania International Photo Festival, 2018
Photography Festival by Blank Wall Gallery (Athens), Greece

person and a water splash in south africa

south africa, cape town people on the street

A man in a mustard-colored jacket walks past a building with large advertisements featuring scantily clad women; the juxtaposition of the everyday pedestrian and the provocative imagery creates a striking visual contrast.

A woman sits smoking beside a makeshift stall next to a large billboard depicting a scantily clad woman. The juxtaposition highlights the stark contrast between the commercialized image and the reality of street life.

index

1. Dip-in, (from the project “South Africa”), 2025, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA2 (42,0 x 59,4 cm)

2. Deep-in, (from the project “South Africa”), 2025, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA2 (42,0 x 59,4 cm)

3.Dig-in, (from the project “South Africa”), 2025, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA2 (42,0 x 59,4 cm)

4. Maverick 1, (from the project “South Africa”), 2024, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA2 (42,0 x 59,4 cm)

5. Maverick 2, (from the project “South Africa”), 2024, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA2 (42,0 x 59,4 cm)

6. Maverick 3, (from the project “South Africa”), 2024, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA2 (42,0 x 59,4 cm)

A white, divided serving dish holds two piles of vibrant purple cherry buds and a collection of slender green stems, possibly from the same plant. The contrasting colors and textures create a visually striking presentation.

A poppy is depicted in various stages of life against a crisp white backdrop, showcasing the flower in full bloom, a closed bud, and a seed pod. The composition highlights the plant's elegant stems and delicate petals, emphasizing its evolving beauty.

close up of parking slot covered with metal and concrete

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geometrical close-up shot building of milan center

1. Tulip, (from the series “things”), 2019, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA3 (29,7 × 42 cm)

2. Cherries, (from the series “things”), 2019, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA3 (29,7 × 42 cm)

3. Poppy, (from the series “things”), 2019, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA3 (29,7 × 42 cm)

4. round, (from the series “construct for abstract”), 2022, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DIN2 (42 cm x 59,4 cm)

5. Triangle, (from the series “construct for abstract”), 2017, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DIN2 (42 cm x 59,4 cm)

6. Hole, (from the series “construct for abstract”), 2020, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DIN2 (42 cm x 59,4 cm)

The image is a stark black and white silhouette of a person lying down, their head resting on what appears to be a pillow, suggesting a scene of rest or sleep. The figure is positioned centrally within a rectangular frame.

The image shows a dark silhouette of a person, possibly seated, framed against a brightly lit, rectangular background. The stark contrast between the figure and the background creates a dramatic effect.

The blurry black and white image shows the indistinct silhouette of a person's head and shoulders, seemingly framed against a brightly lit, out-of-focus background. The focus is intentionally obscured, leaving the subject's identity and the scene's details ambiguous.

The image depicts an abstract representation of two figures, possibly people, created from a network of white and red lines against a black background. The lines intersect and create a cubist or pixel-art style silhouette, hinting at human forms.

1. Untitled (1), (from the series “by shade”), 2023, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA4 (21 × 29,7 cm)

2. Untitled (2), (from the series “by shade”), 2023, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA4 (21 × 29,7 cm)

3. Untitled (3), (from the series “by shade”), 2023, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA4 (21 × 29,7 cm)

4. Self-intimacy, (from the series “selves”), 2015, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA4 (21 × 29,7 cm)

5. Mind, (from the series “self versus”), 2018, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA4 (21 × 29,7 cm)

6. f*ck your self (1), (from the series “f*ck your self”), 2013, print on Fine Art Paper, 1 of 3 Edition, DINA4 (21 × 29,7 cm)