Born in 1968 in Şırnak, Yusuf Murat Şen completed his elementary studies in Gaziantep, Turkey.  After receiving his undergraduate degree from Marmara University, Şen attended the Masters Program in the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, as well as receiving his Proficiency in Art. The artist became a lecturer in 2002, and a professor in 2009.​

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​A lecturer in the Photography Department since 1991, Şen serves as the Head of Photography in the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University between year 2007 - 2013. Besides his teaching duties, Şen also serves as the director of FUAM (Photography Research and Application Center) which he also is one of the founding members, as well as the director of ‘Istanbul Photobook Festival’, organized in Istanbul for the first time in Turkey.​

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With his work previously internationally exhibited in Austria, Sweden, Greece and Bosnia - Hersigova, Yusuf Murat Şen has been exploring the antique methods of photography, its contemporary connotations, and photography archiving for many years.

Mainly focusing on the interchangeable cultural and sociologic tensions of Turkey, the monopolized system of politics, and urbanization, the artist contributes to the Turkish art arena with work that carries the qualities of documentary photography. Şen currently lives and works in Istanbul, organizing photo-book workshops, exhibitions, seminars, artist talks, and consulting projects as well as participating in judging panels.