Saima Altunkaya (Akkadia)

The Assyrian-born photographer Saima Altunkaya goes by the artist name of Akkadia.

The path that led her to photography was anything but direct. In fact, she devoted seven years to a commercial career before immersing herself totally in the work she loves. Initially captivated by painting, she later went on to explore photography. Since then, she has always had a camera in her hand. Her work as an assistant photographer in Hamburg allowed her to travel internationally. In 2002, she moved to Paris to explore the fascinating realm of fashion photography. She consequently established herself there professionally as a freelance photographer in the beauty and fashion sectors. In 2014 she has been recognised with the prestigious Award of the Festival International de la Photographie de Mode in Cannes.

She has since decided on another change of course, compelled by the desire to channel her interest in the whole range of artistic media. Never without a sense of curiosity and play, Akkadia relentlessly expands the frontiers of her creative world through the usage of multiple exposures and other techniques of photography.The images she creates echo the aesthetics of the plastic arts while remaining photographic in their nature. She seeks to create magnetic and memorable images — but insists on the viewer’s freedom in interpreting them.

She lives and works in Paris.