Contemporary Istanbul expands international reach with 17 newcomers

The 21st edition of Contemporary Istanbul will run from 23–27 September at Tersane Istanbul, a restored Ottoman shipyard complex on the Golden Horn, bringing together more than 70 galleries from 24 countries. Organizers say nearly one quarter of exhibitors are first-timers, including 17 newcomers such as Whitestone Gallery and Pearl Lam Projects (Hong Kong), Michel Rein and Galerie Vallois (Paris), Galerie Tanit (Beirut), and Galeria Francisco Fino (Lisbon). The fair will again feature a “New Ground” section for emerging galleries and artists, while almost half of participating galleries are Istanbul-based, including Zilberman, Pi Artworks, Anna Laudel, Galeri Nev Istanbul, and Sevil Dolmacı. Founder and chair Ali Güreli discusses Turkey’s economic pressures since 2018—currency weakness and high inflation—alongside political uncertainty under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and says the fair is lowering participation costs through measures including a bond agreement and a Turkish Airlines partnership to help with shipping.

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