7th Mardin Biennial Explores Memory, Displacement, and Heritage Across Southeast Turkey
The 7th Mardin Biennial, titled "SKYground" and curated by Çelenk Bafra, is being held at multiple locations, such as a Syriac monastery and a Roman archaeological site, until 21 June. Established in 2010, the biennial aims to move art beyond Istanbul and showcases 42 artists who explore themes of memory, displacement, and heritage. Highlights include Hiwa K's video "You Won’t Feel a Thing" (2025), Šejla Kamerić's "Agape Bench" (2026), and Alfredo Jaar's lightbox for the Gaza Biennale. Michael Rakowitz features a relief from Nimrud, while İrem Tok's "What Remains" (2026) draws inspiration from the School of Nisibis. Additionally, over 50 parallel events with 165 artists are occurring in Mardin, including contributions from Erkan Özgen, Esmeralda Kosmatopoulos, and Basim Magdy.
Key facts
- The 7th Mardin Biennial runs until 21 June.
- Curated by Çelenk Bafra, artistic director at Istanbul Museum of Modern Art.
- First edition to install works beyond the old city, at a Syriac monastery and Roman-era Dara.
- 42 artists from Turkey, the Middle East, and beyond participate.
- Hiwa K shows 2025 video 'You Won’t Feel a Thing'.
- Šejla Kamerić leaves 'Agape Bench' (2026) as a gift to Mardin.
- Alfredo Jaar's lightbox is part of the Gaza Biennale presentation.
- Michael Rakowitz's work references the destroyed Nimrud palace.
- İrem Tok's 'What Remains' (2026) references the School of Nisibis.
- Erkan Özgen's 'Broken Rhythm' (2025) features Kurdish dengbêj storytellers.
- Basim Magdy's 2024 film 'The Birds Choose the Cards' probes fate and control.
- Enver Basravi's 'Hypercustom Table' was removed by administrative order.
- More than 50 parallel events with 165 artists are underway.
- Founded in 2010, the biennial has decentralized art from Istanbul.
Entities
Artists
- Çelenk Bafra
- Hiwa K
- Šejla Kamerić
- Alfredo Jaar
- Michael Rakowitz
- İrem Tok
- Erkan Özgen
- Esmeralda Kosmatopoulos
- Rozelin Akgün
- Basim Magdy
- Erinç Seymen
- Carlos Aires
- Vahap Avşar
- KITE
- Alper Aydın
- Hüseyin Aksoy
- Mehmet Ali Boran
- Enver Basravi
- Farid ud-Din Attar
- Khalil Rabah
- Slavs and Tatars
- Ahmet Dogu Ipek
- Gözde Ilkin
- Hamra Abbas
- Yasmeen Al Daya
- Fares Ayash
- Vahap Avsar
- Alper Aydin
- Mehtap Baydu
- Bi Acayip Hâne (Senem Râbia Sekban & Fatma Alara Akgün)
- Hilal Can
- Cansu Çakar
- Isaac Chong Wai
- Canan Dagdelen
- Özgür Demirci
- Bawer Doganay
- Jakup Ferri
- Ekin Kano
- Šejla Kameric´
- Ali Kaaf
- Pelin Kirca
- Kite (Dr. Suzanne Kite)
- Maro Michalakakos
- Malgorzata Mirga-Tas
- Zahit Mungan
- Camila Rocha
- Selçuk Artut
- Xul Solar
- Irem Tok
Institutions
- Mardin Biennial
- Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
- SAHA
- Gaza Biennale
- Bukhara Biennial
- Canvas
- Istanbul Modern
- House of Taswir
- Stadtkuratorin Hamburg / City Curator Hamburg
- Sakip Sabanci Mardin City Museum
Locations
- Mardin
- Turkey
- Istanbul
- Diyarbakir
- Dara
- Kızıltepe
- Deyrulzafaran Monastery
- Syria
- Iraq
- Nimrud
- Uzbekistan
- New York
- Cairo
- Paris
- Taipei
- Bosnia
- Chile
- Greece
- Türkiye
- Dara Ancient City
- Ates¸ Beyler Hamami
- Kervansaray
- Marangozlar Kahvesi (Carpenter’s Café)
- Mesopotamia