Can Kabba explores the tension between identity and freedom, delving into the personal struggle that unfolds within this psychological and social conflict. The simultaneous impulse to conceal and redefine the self under the pressures of contemporary life forms the core of his artistic practice.
Masks and veils appear throughout his photographs as visual metaphors that expose the paradox between visibility and disappearance, liberation and restriction.
Deeply rooted in the historical and cultural landscape of Istanbul, Kabba’s work articulates a desire to transcend the boundaries imposed by tradition while confronting the silent walls erected by society and the self. Themes such as surveillance, desire, romance, and escape emerge through blurred, shadowed imagery that resists clarity and embraces ambiguity. While masks offer a temporary refuge for identity, they also signal transformation and the possibility of emancipation. Through these layered visual narratives, Kabba invites viewers into a space of reflection—one that confronts both the fragility and resilience of identity in the pursuit of freedom.