Contemporary Istanbul 2024 Receipts: Looking to the Future

Spotlight Must-See Exhibitions in Istanbul, Autumn 2024 Ocula Editors

Contemporary Istanbul (24–27 October 2024) saw the coming together of 53 galleries from 14 countries at the Tersane shipyard on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait, with the main fair complemented by an additional programme of outdoor sculpture in ‘The Yard’, and parallel exhibitions spotlighting Spanish and Latin American artists.

One particularly bustling booth on preview day was that of Leila Heller Gallery, with its pale pink walls serving as an eye-catching backdrop for lustrous porcelain and stoneware pieces by Melis Buyruk. The gallery, which has outposts in New York and Dubai, also presented works by Turkish artist Alaattin Efe and Iranian artist Maryam Lamei. It is their fourth participation in Contemporary Istanbul since 2011.

New York assistant director Sosi Mehren estimated that a vast majority of fairgoers were from Turkey, with international visitors mainly comprising tourists or people in the industry, though she noted that the fair was ‘becoming more and more international.’

The gallery later reported selling most of the works on show by Buyruk as well as two large-scale drawings by Efe. They additionally placed museum commission requests for all of their booth artists.

Nazlı Yayla, director of institutional relations at Zilberman Gallery—which has spaces in Istanbul, Berlin, and Miami—reported that ‘works by most of our artists, including Azade Köker, Alpin Arda Bağcık, Yaşam Şaşmazer, Larry Muñoz, Carlos Aires, Eşref Yıldırım, and others, were sold,’ with prices ranging between EUR 3,500–55,000.

Zilberman are staunch supporters of their home fair, having participated in every edition since it started. ‘Istanbul is our home and headquarters,’ Yayla said.

The gallery participates in around a dozen international fairs each year, including in Hong Kong, Latin America, the U.S., and Europe. Having strong relationships with local collectors is naturally an advantage for Zilberman. Yayla told Ocula that while the past ten years haven’t been easy, citing sociopolitical and economic factors, there is a newfound optimism in the city.

‘Istanbul was already among the cultural hubs ... But everybody feels like it’s coming back again. This is our city. We are proud to be doing business here,’ Yayla said.

Pi Artworks (London and Istanbul) have also participated in every edition of Contemporary Istanbul. Director Jade Yesim Turanli told Ocula: ‘We are supporters of the fair from the start. I do believe that Istanbul and local artists have big potential.’

The gallery reported selling three works by Turkish Austrian contemporary painter Kemal Seyhan, who they have represented for more than 20 years, with prices ranging between EUR 22,000–25,000.

First-time fair participant Gillian Jason, a London gallery representing exclusively women artists, brought six to their booth. Operations manager Ece Ozyalcin echoed the optimistic sentiment of other gallerists, describing the ‘growing market’ in Turkey.

At a pre-fair press conference, Contemporary Istanbul director Ali Güreli emphasised the organisation’s ‘soft power’ ambitions and collective approach in a ‘union of strengths,’ noting the importance for Turkey to ‘act together with other bodies’ that share a long-term vision to develop the nation’s art market and economy. Partnering organisations of this year’s edition included government entities like the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, as well as corporations such as Akbank and Turkish Airlines.

The fair is conspicuously looking forward to its 20th edition (18–22 September 2025), with a save-the-date printed on one side of this year’s tote bag. While the organisers may have yet to prove a consistent quality of output among participating galleries, there is a clear sense of commitment from involved parties to promote the city and its cultural institutions.

It’s a sentiment that was aptly expressed by Cristina Latorre Sancho, the Ambassador of Spain to Turkey, at the press conference: ‘In these times of war, destruction, and horror, culture dignifies us as human beings,’ noting her gratitude to the fair team. ‘With their work, they dignify our lives.’ —[O]

Main image: Courtesy Contemporary Istanbul. Photo: Firuz Soyuer.