As an artist, I am inspired by the memories and objects that connect me to my past. “My Father’s Toys” is a deeply personal project that explores the cherished wind-up toys from my father’s collection that played such a significant role in my childhood.
As a little girl, I was captivated by the intricate details and whimsical movements of these toys. However, they were always just out of reach, as my grandmother carefully guarded them while my sister and I watched in awe. These toys represented a world of magic and imagination, and I longed to touch them and bring them to life. Years later, after my father passed away, I became the keeper of this enchanted collection. Through my photographs, I seek to capture the nostalgia and wonder of these beloved toys, and to honor my father’s memory by exhibiting their images. In my images, I aim to evoke a sense of longing and unfulfilled desire – the feeling that some experiences and connections can never be fully realized. Yet, at the same time, I celebrate the enduring power of these objects to evoke joy and wonder, and the timeless beauty of childhood imagination. Ultimately, “My Father’s Toys” explores themes of love, loss, and the power of memory to transcend time and space. I hope that my images will transport viewers back to their own childhoods, and inspire them to embrace the magic and wonder of the world around us, just as my father’s toys did for me.
About Nadide Goksun
Nadide Goksun (b. 1967) is a Turkish/American artist working primarily with photography and ceramics. She is a graduate of the Bogazici University in Istanbul, the Sungshin Women’s University in Seoul and participates on the ICP Continuing Education Program in New York. Goksun’s work has been exhibited in several group exhibitions including Foley Gallery’s Exhibition Lab in NYC, Photo Review’s 36th Annual International Photography Competition, Head On Photo Festival, Sydney-Australia, Julia Margaret Cameron Awards, Barcelona-Spain, Lens Culture’s 250 New Examples of the 21st Century Street Photography among others. Her first solo show “Swimmers” has been exhibited in Bondi Beach, Sydney on the Head On Photo Festival in 2021. Her artwork has been reproduced in The New York Times, PDN (Photo District News), ArtAscent International Art and Literature Journal, Pastiche Magazine and All About Photo Magazine publications. She currently lives and works in New York State. [Official Website]
