The 18th edition of Contemporary Istanbul is over. This year, the fair coincided with the Turkish centennial and it featured 67 galleries along with 8 initiatives and museums representing artists from 22 countries. The fair showcased more than 1500 works of art by 591 artists. Staged over four days from the 28th of September to 1st of October, 2023, it took place in the historic district of Tersane Istanbul – an architectural landmark and a historical gem located on the Golden Horn.
The site once served as an imperial shipyard during the Ottoman Empire, with roots tracing back to the 15th century. Tersane’s historic structures have undergone recent renovations by the award-winning firm Tabanlıoğlu Architects.
This year, 21 galleries were making their debut, further enriching the diverse array of participants from Europe, South America, Africa, East Asia, the Middle East, and the USA.
Highlights of this Edition included the newly introduced CI Photo Focus, a dedicated section exploring photography by uniting artists and galleries. This section, overseen by Simone Klein, features works from 21 artists across eight countries and is accompanied by insightful panel discussions.
Furthermore, Contemporary Istanbul spotlights local art initiatives that showcase various facets of contemporary art in Turkey. These initiatives include Ka Atölye, NOKS Art Space, KOLİ Art Space, and Kıyı Projects, each offering a distinctive perspective and creative approach.
The Fair was an excellent opportunity to discover new talents, revisit well-known artworks and galleries, and learn more about the Turkish art scene.
See the editor’s picks from the Contemporary Istanbul.
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GALERİ NEV, Tayfun Erdoğmuş, Untitled, 2023. -
VISION ART PLATFORM, Mert Acar, Market,2022 -
AB GALLERY, Min-kyo Kim, Apricot Flower, 70×127, Hwangchil on Hanj -
DIRIMART Cagla Ulusoy, Peeled, Acrylic on canvas, 198x160cm, 2023 -
DEN ART, Deniz Karakurt Şekerci, Zeynep -
IBI ART GALLERY, Cathy Abraham, Three spirits, Magenta -
THE PILL, Elsa Sahal, Petite main aux ongles bleus, 2019, Glazed ceramic, 27 x 55 x 40 cm -
JOAN GASPAR, Antoni Tàpies – Als mestres de Catalunya -
FURIOSA RODRIGO RAMÃREZ, UNTITLED 2023, OIL ON CANVAS, 80 X 60 CM -
KALASHNIKOVV Turiya Magadlela, Untitled, 2022, Nylon pantyhose on canvas, 1200 x 1200 mm -
LAZY MIKE, Ivan Seriy, I’m living in train. -
SEVİL DOLMACI ART GALLERY, Bosco Sodi, Untitled -
X-IST, Murat Palta, In the Mood For Love -
bürosarıgedik, EdaCekil, Cut, 2021-2022 -
C.A.M, Dieter Mammel, Blues, 2023 -
GALERİ SİYAH BEYAZ, Ali Kotan, Untitled -
KAIROS ŞANT, Entangled, 2022, 24×32 cm, graphite on paper. -
HOFA, Maxim Wakultschik, MWA114 -
LEILA HELLER GALLERY, Naeemeh Kazemi, Untitled, 2023 -
ÖKTEM AYKUT, Mert Öztekin, Untitled, 2022. -
SCONCI GALLERY, Annalù, dreamcatcher like fire, 180cm -
RIDVAN KUDAY Sedat KdoÄan -
SISTEMA GALLERY_ ALINA KUGUSH. «Alternative methods of mobility», 2023. Watercolor, paper, 80 х 76 sm -
YVONNE HOHNER, Fahar AI-Salih, Mosaic 1965 -
SGR GALERIA, Nicolas Bonilla, Flysch de Zumaia -
ZILBERMAN GALLERY, Azade Köker, Ay Beri Bah -
ANNA LAUDEL, Belkıs Balpınar, Towards the top, 2023, Rug, 150h x 133w cm -
ARMA GALLERY, Juan Sotomayor, Focus -
BFM ART CENTER, Wang Heng, Dead Sleeping 2, 2022 -
INLOCO GALLERY, Maxim Ima, Reflex -
KARPUCHINA GALLERY,Anna Ruth Fontain -
SANATORIUM, Erol Eskici, Plantarium -
ART ON, Damla Sari, Don’t be late home
