The exhibition “The Shores of the Sea” by Mexican artist and diplomat Toño Labra, featuring his black-and-white photographs, opened at Çankaya Municipality’s Zülfü Livaneli Cultural Center with a reception hosted by the Embassy of Mexico. The exhibition, which visually reflects a journey beyond borders and distances, showcases images from Labra’s homeland, Mexico, as well as Türkiye and Spain, where he has served. Ambassadors, business figures, and guests attended the opening.
M. FERHAT YÜKSEL
Mexico’s designated Ambassador to Ankara, Javier Diaz de Léon, began his opening remarks by addressing the artist: “Toño is not only a photographer but also a colleague. As a member of the Mexican Foreign Service, he is no stranger to Türkiye. When the Mexican Consulate opened in Istanbul in 2014, he was the first consul to serve there.”
Diaz de Léon stressed that the exhibition was more than a collection of photographs. “This exhibition demonstrates the interconnectedness of our world, the bridges between civilizations, and how art brings distant shores closer together. It also reflects the mission we embrace as an embassy,” he said.
Toño Labra’s Journey
Labra has been dedicated to photography since 1987, while his diplomatic career took him to many countries over the years. His work has been published not only in Mexico but also in China, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Egypt, and Spain.
Since 2003, he has worked with a Catalan agency that distributes his photographs internationally. Having lived in El Salvador, the United States, China, Venezuela, Peru, Egypt, and Türkiye, he now resides in Spain, where he continues his passion for street photography.
“We Belong to a Universal Culture”
Labra recalled his years in Istanbul between 2014 and 2018. “I lived very happily in Istanbul. Türkiye is very dear to me, and I met countless wonderful people every day,” he said.
Reflecting on the theme of his exhibition, “a return from globalization,” Labra noted: “This process, in a way, began with the Ottomans. They launched a global exchange with their neighbors, and later, the Spanish Empire discovered the New World. As a Mexican, I dedicated the last part of my photographs to Mexico.”
Sharing his impressions of Türkiye, he added, “We belong to a universal culture. The Ottomans established many connections here 500 years ago. Not all were peaceful, but the world changed profoundly. Despite differences, we share a common language. We Mexicans preserve our identity, but we are also globalized.”
Summarizing his feelings about Türkiye, Labra expressed gratitude: “I lived very happily in Türkiye. There were difficult moments, but I greatly enjoyed the bonds we built through the warm hearts of the Turkish people.”
“The Sea Has Always Been a Bridge”
In his opening speech, Labra emphasized the symbolism of the sea: “The sea has always been a bridge between worlds. The Mediterranean was the cradle of civilizations, and the Atlantic was the gateway to the unknown. Throughout history, sea routes carried people, ideas, and cultures—sometimes in harmony, often in conflict.”
He also underlined the role of the Ottomans and the Spanish Empire in the first wave of globalization: “The encounter between Europe and the New World created new identities, but also inequalities and conflicts. Today, technology and communication bring us closer, yet we still carry those traces.”
Labra concluded with heartfelt words: “Thank you for coming here today to see the sea as I see it. I also extend my gratitude to my colleagues at the Mexican Embassy, who made this event possible. Muchas gracias.”
The exhibition will be open to visitors from September 13 to 22, 2025, at the Çankaya Municipality Zülfü Livaneli Cultural Center.
