Kevser Güler has been appointed director of the 18th Istanbul Biennial. She will begin her new role as of 15 January 2024.
Güler worked for the Istanbul Biennial between 2007–14 in various capacities, including assistant curator, member of the exhibition team and artist mentor. She has also previously worked as associate curator of the Cappadox Festival of Contemporary Art Programme, of which she is a co-founder, as well as curator and exhibitions director at Yapı Kredi Culture and Arts. The most recent exhibitions she has curated include ‘Together Fanzine,’ Beginning in the Middle, Artİstanbul Feshane (2023); They Were Just Constantly Flying In Circles, Çağla Köseoğulları, Sanatorium, Istanbul (2023); Sympathetic System, Karşı Sanat, Istanbul (2022); and This Place, Yapı Kredi Culture and Arts (YKKS), Istanbul (2021-22).
Also a researcher, Güler has conducted research on Arter’s collection, delivered lectures on the history of exhibitions at Kadir Has University and headlined workshops on art ontology at Mişar Art. She is also a writer and editor, and served on the advisory board of Sanat Dünyamız journal from 2021–23.
Güler has further worked as a consultant and jury member as part of several art programmes including SAHA Studio, Lucy Art Residency and Berlin Senate Visiting Artist Programme.
Curated by Iwona Blazwick, the 18th Istanbul Biennial is set to run from 14 September to 17 November 2024.
