Ahmet Polat

Ahmet Polat is a multi-disciplinary artist who uses his keen eye for political, cultural, and social issues to create works that promote pluriform storytelling, new educational methodologies, and social impact. He employs various mediums such as photography, film, theatre, and fieldwork to build bridges between diverse cultures, identities, and histories. Ahmet's bi-cultural perspective informs his creative process, and he is driven to capture the unexpected in his work.

After a decade in Istanbul, Ahmet returned to the Netherlands in 2015 and received the Laureate Photographer of the Nation award. His work has been exhibited internationally, including at prestigious institutions such as the Rijksmuseum, Istanbul Modern, Stedelijk Amsterdam, and BOZAR Brussel. Ahmet's Studio Polat Foundation aims to encourage collaborations and mutual benefits across different disciplines and creative worlds.

In 2022, Ahmet debuted his first documentary, "I am a Bastard," which received a special mention at the 'Movies that Matters' festival and was selected for the Dutch Film Festival NFF 2022. Currently, he serves as the creative director of Studio Polat and the Foundation Amsterdam 750, which funds grassroots projects initiated by Amsterdam locals in celebration of the city's anniversary. Ahmet is also a co-curator with FOAM for the upcoming Ara Guler exhibition in June 2023.

In 2024, Ahmet will debut his new play, "More than a Thousand Words," a collaboration with Rashif El Kaoui and het Zuidelijk Toneel. He's also on the board of Paleis het Loo and Fonds Kwadraat. He is also an editor-in-chief at broadcaster HUMAN.
 
 
World Press Photo Involvement:
Member of the Supervisory Board