Artweeks Istanbul, one of the most dynamic gatherings of the Turkish contemporary art scene, is preparing to meet art lovers with its 12th edition from October 15–26.
Launched in 2018 as a non-profit platform with the vision of Bilgili Holding and in collaboration with Sabiha Kurtulmuş to breathe new life into the Turkish art scene, Artweeks Istanbul is redefining the traditional fair concept. Since its inception, the platform has embraced all stakeholders in the art world free of charge, connecting hundreds of thousands of art lovers with hundreds of artists and galleries, playing a leading role in making art more accessible and inclusive. Artweeks Istanbul continues this unifying and innovative mission in its 12th edition, preparing to meet art lovers.
Artweeks Istanbul at Akaretler Row Houses and The Ritz-Carlton Residences Block B
Artweeks Istanbul enriches its 12th edition by presenting its program in two distinct venues. Bringing together the historical fabric of Akaretler Row Houses and the modern architecture of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, the event opens a new dialogue on the relationship between art and city and place. The diverse exhibitions and projects presented at both venues will demonstrate to visitors how art can create different experiences depending on the context in which it is presented.
In addition to exhibitions, the event program will also include ArtTalks panels, which will foster an interdisciplinary dialogue on art, and special meetings organized in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen.
Projects and Exhibitions Supporting the Art Ecosystem
As with every edition, Artweeks Istanbul stands out with its multi-layered structure. The event, which will bring together Turkey's leading artists and galleries with collectors and art lovers, further expands its public impact by creating an interdisciplinary meeting space encompassing gallery exhibitions, independent artist projects, installations, panels, and new media works.
One of Artweeks Istanbul's core missions is to contribute sustainably to the art economy. Special exhibitions and projects embody this mission, aiming to increase the visibility of artists while fostering a culture of collecting. The 12th edition will feature the "Six Photographs" exhibition by Bülent Eczacıbaşı, a prominent figure in the business world, and the "FloreLuctus" project by Cem Güventürk, a multidisciplinary artist known for his unique drawing style in illustration.
This year's Artweeks Istanbul will feature galleries, artists, and institutions including Ambidexter, Artopol Art Gallery, ArtHan Gallery, Asım İşler, Baksı Museum, Bilgili Sanat, Bosfor, Bülent Eczacıbaşı, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, BB Projectt, Cem Güventürk, E’Art Gallery, Evin Sanat Gallery, Frank Art Studio, Galeri Siyah Beyaz, Galerist, Gallery G-Art, Hasan Sarıtaş Art Gallery, Horozart, İBB Kültür A.Ş., İmoga Art Space, Istanbul Concept Gallery, Kun Art Space, Martch Art Project, MERKUR, Mine Sanat Gallery, Nihat Odabaşı, Öktem Aykut, Pi Artworks, Red Art Istanbul, Sanatorium, Şerife Bilgili Ercantürk, Taksim Sanat, UZ Gallery, and X-IST.
One of the most significant innovations of the 12th edition will be the "Curation Space" program, launched for the first time in collaboration with Bilgili Sanat. This space provides young, independent curators with the opportunity to present their own selections and curations, contributing to the goal of creating a sustainable ecosystem that nourishes the dynamic structure of the Turkish art economy.
Bilgili Sanat: A Story Bringing Art to a Wide Audience
Bigilli Sanat has developed and supported 373 collaborations across various sectors and disciplines, including Ada Show, 212 Photography Istanbul, Base Istanbul, Artweeks, and One Akaretler Editions, thus providing free access to nearly 1 million visitors. Furthermore, through its initiatives that bring together more than 200 galleries and nearly 1,100 artists and designers, it makes significant investments in the creative power and social impact of art.
Artweeks Istanbul, one of the most concrete examples of this approach, has hosted more than 130,000 visitors in its last three editions. The project presented 657 works by 138 artists and galleries to art lovers in its 9th, 10th, and 11th editions, organized in collaboration with UBS and hosted by Bilgili Holding in 2024–2025.
Beyond connecting individuals with art, these events stand out as sources of inspiration that strengthen collective awareness of its value, becoming a closely followed platform in the Turkish art world.
Source: https://gazeteoksijen.com/turkiye/artweeks-istanbul-12-edisyonu-ile-sanati-sehrin-iki-farkli-noktasina-tasiyor-252842