WHO WE ARE

Fotohane DARKROOM is a community-based and participatory arts project based in Mardin, Turkey, mere kilometers from the Syrian border. During our workshops, children from diverse backgrounds – Syrian, Iraqi, Turkish, Kurdish – are encouraged to relate to each other and the world around them through the visual medium of analog photography.

OUR VALUES

We strive to create a safe and imaginative space where children can build friendships, expand their perspectives, and find healing through self-expression. The darkroom is founded on the fundamental belief in photography as a universal and therapeutic language, where children can experiment freely and engage in self-discovery.

OUR APPROACH

In our workshops, children are given analog cameras and taught to shoot, develop, and print their own photographs. We support their autonomy by prioritizing hands-on learning and adopting a do, don’t tell mentality. Our workshops are thereby exploratory in nature, prompting children to learn from one another and through personal experimentation. Learn more.

Meet the Team