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Contemporary Istanbul draws 38,500 visitors with 70 galleries from 16 countries

The 19th edition of Contemporary Istanbul, bringing together galleries, artists, and art enthusiasts from around the world, has opened its doors to art lovers in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 23, 2024. (AA Photo)
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The 19th edition of Contemporary Istanbul, bringing together galleries, artists, and art enthusiasts from around the world, has opened its doors to art lovers in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 23, 2024. (AA Photo)
October 01, 2026 10:03 AM GMT+03:00

Contemporary Istanbul closed its 21st edition with 38,500 visitors, with international attendance rising 50% from the previous edition.

The five-day fair featured 70 galleries from 16 countries, 736 artists and 1,372 artworks, according to the Contemporary Istanbul Foundation for Art, Culture and Education.

Twenty-two galleries joined the fair for the first time, while Istanbul hosted VIP guests from 37 countries and representatives of 148 institutions.

The fair featured galleries from across Asia, including Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, New Delhi and Singapore through its Focus Asia section alongside the Newcomers and New Grounds sections.

Germany in focus at Contemporary Istanbul 2027

Ali Gureli, chairman of Contemporary Istanbul, said the fair helped build new international connections and announced that Germany will be the focus of next year's program.

The 22nd edition in 2027 will bring art communities from Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart and Cologne together with Türkiye's art scene.

Sculpture route welcomes students at art fair

A sculpture route at Tersane Istanbul, a historic former shipyard complex located along a 2-kilometer (1.24-mile) shoreline on the northern coast of the Golden Horn in Beyoglu, Istanbul, featured 12 works by artists including Jaume Plensa, Arne Quinze, Bahadir Baruter, Bernar Venet, Ecem Yerman and Johnny Depp.

The fair also saw Oddviz's "Istanbul City Walls" added to the collection of the Istanbul Governorship.

To encourage young people to engage with contemporary art, the fair offered free admission to university students, with 1,250 students taking part. More than 300 students from fine arts high schools also joined special guided tours.

October 01, 2026 10:04 AM GMT+03:00
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