Çelenk Bafra to Curate 7th Mardin Biennial in 2026

Çelenk Bafra, who currently serves as the Artistic Director of Istanbul Modern, has been appointed as the curator for the upcoming 7th Mardin Biennial, scheduled for May 2026, which will also mark the biennial's fifteenth anniversary. This event is organized by the Mardin Cinema Association, led by Döne Otyam and Hakan Irmak. Established in 2010, the biennial aims to connect artistic voices from both western and eastern Türkiye, fostering dialogue among artists, scholars, students, and local communities in the culturally rich city of Mardin. Bafra has a history of curating, having worked on the Istanbul Biennial from 2004 to 2008, and has actively promoted Turkish artists at international platforms like the Venice Biennale. She has also initiated support programs for artists through organizations like SAHA and İKSV. Bafra's involvement with the Mardin Biennial dates back to a 2005 research trip, and she has collaborated with the Mardin Cinema Association on various initiatives.