Contemporary Istanbul, Turkiye’s leading international art fair, returns for its landmark 20th edition from 24–28 September 2025, with a preview day on Wednesday 24 September, set against the historic architecture of Tersane Istanbul. Akbank as its main partner, this anniversary edition, marks two decades of Contemporary Istanbul as a vital meeting point for artists, collectors and institutions across the region and beyond.
Focus America
This year’s curated Focus Section, titled Focus America, spotlights the contemporary art landscape of the United States, with an emphasis on New York and its influence on global visual culture.The participating galleries include Amanita, Revolver Galería, Pontone/Friedrichs Pontone, Leila Heller Gallery and Heft Gallery—each presenting a distinctive curatorial voice.
Amanita (New York) brings work by Bill Jensen, a veteran of American abstraction whose paintings are held in the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum, MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Revolver Galería (Lima, Peru & New York, USA) presents Elena Damiani, a Peruvian artist whose layered works explore geological memory and have been exhibited at the Venice Biennale. Pontone / Friedrichs Pontone (New York – London)/ Friedrichs Pontone highlights Brad Kunkle, recognised for his luminous figurative paintings, enhanced with gold and silver leaf, while Leila Heller Gallery (New York, USA & Dubai, UAE) showcases Ryan Koopmans & Alice Wexell, whose collaborative photo-based works reimagine abandoned Soviet architecture through digital interventions that hint at post-human futures. Heft Gallery (New York, USA) will feature Edward Burtynsky, the acclaimed Canadian photographer known for his sweeping industrial landscapes, held in the collections of MoMA and the Guggenheim.
Participating galleries include:
Mira Madrid (Madrid), AB GALLERY (Seoul), Amanita (New York), Anna Laudel (Istanbul – Düsseldorf), Art On Istanbul (Istanbul), AWC Contemporary Gallery (Dubai), Bozlu Art Project (Istanbul), Buchmann Galerie (Berlin – Geneva), BüroSarıgedik (Istanbul), CUT Art (Riga), DG Gallery (Istanbul), DIRIMART (Istanbul – London), Esther Woerdoff (Paris), Ferda Art Platform (Istanbul), Galeri 77 (Istanbul), Galeri Nev Istanbul (Istanbul), Galeria Joan
Gaspar (Barcelona), Galerija Fotografija (Ljubljana), Gillian Jason Gallery (London), Heft Gallery (New York), JD Malat Gallery (London – Dubai), Kvalitář Gallery (Prague), Leila Heller Gallery (New York – Dubai), Mark Hachem Gallery (Paris – Beirut), Martch Art Project (Istanbul), Muse Contemporary (Istanbul), OG Gallery (Istanbul), One Arc Gallery (Istanbul), Öktem Aykut (Istanbul), Pedro Cera (Lisbon – Madrid), PG Art Gallery (Istanbul), Pi Artworks (Istanbul – London), PİLEVNELİ (Istanbul), PİLOT (Istanbul), Piramid Sanat (Istanbul), Pontone / Friedrichs Pontone (New York – London), Revolver Galería (New York – Buenos Aires), Ruzy Gallery (Istanbul), Sevil Dolmacı (Istanbul – Dubai), SIMBART PROJECTS (Istanbul), Siyah Beyaz Ankara (Ankara), Summart (Istanbul), TAEX (London), Taksim Sanat (Istanbul), Trafo Gallery (Prague), Villa del Arte Galleries (Barcelona – Amsterdam), Vision Art Platform (Istanbul), Wizard Gallery (Milan), x-ist (Istanbul), ZILBERMAN (Istanbul – Berlin).
Institutional Collaborations and Special Presentations
On 24–25 September, the Contemporary Istanbul Foundation (CIF) will host its annual talk programme, CIF Dialogues 2025. This year’s theme, Disrupted Coordinates: Istanbul and the Shifting Landscape of Art, explores how cultural actors respond to geopolitical, technological and social upheaval.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the BMW Art Car Collection, Alexander Calder’s iconic 1975 Art Car and Julie Mehretu’s Art Car will be exhibited together for the first time in Turkey. This special presentation underscores the long-standing intersection between contemporary art and mobility.
The fair will also feature a series of institutional collaborations that affirm Istanbul’s place within global cultural networks. Speakers and special exhibitions by partners that include LACMA (Los Angeles) and Sigg Art Foundation (Le Castellet) will be part of the fair’s 20th anniversary programming.
Sigg Art Foundation, founded by Pierre Sigg, will present a curated selection from its founder’s collection, showcasing new acquisitions exploring the intersection of painting and digital culture. Artists featured include Korakrit Arunanondchai, Nancy Burson, Meriem Bennani, Neil Beloufa, Louisa Gagliardi and Austin Lee, alongside historical works by Charles Ross and Jean-Baptiste Vanmour.
Ali Güreli, Chairperson and Founder of Contemporary Istanbul, said: “As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, Contemporary Istanbul reflects on its evolution into a platform that not only brings together exceptional galleries and artists but also fosters long-term cultural dialogue across borders. Istanbul continues to emerge as a site of transformation—where histories, ideas and communities converge—and this year’s edition honours that spirit.”
Partners and Support
In addition to Akbank, which has been supporting the fair as the main partner since its first edition, Contemporary Istanbul is collaborating this year with its associate partners Tersane Istanbul and BMW, represented in Turkey by Borusan Otomotiv. The official airline partner is Turkish Airlines and Miles&Smiles; the host partner is Pernod Ricard Turkey; the strategic partner is Tosyalı Turkey; the partner is Trendyol; the insurance partner is Magdeburger Sigorta; the hospitality partner is The Marmara Group; and the opening invitation is organised in collaboration with Alieé.
Furthermore, Contemporary Istanbul, in cooperation with the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), is hosting international press throughout the fair to promote Istanbul and Turkey abroad. International media promotion is supported by the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA).
Press release from Contemporary Istanbul
Image: Gülsün Karamustafa. Ascension. 1981. Plastic, plywood and textile. 160 x 170 x 15 cm. Image courtesy of the artist
