Istanbul Biennial Announces 18th Edition Title 'The Three-Legged Cat' and Over 40 Artists for 2025
The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) will host the 18th Istanbul Biennial, named 'The Three-Legged Cat,' from 2025 to 2027, curated by Christine Tohmé. The first phase is scheduled from 20 September to 23 November 2025 and will showcase more than 40 artists, including Haig Aivazian, Abdullah Al Saadi, and Akram Zaatari. In 2026, the biennial will introduce an academy along with public programs, while 2027 will focus on final exhibitions and workshops. This edition comes after a controversy surrounding the initial curator selection of Defne Ayas, which resulted in Iwona Blazwick's appointment and subsequent criticism. Kevser Güler was named the new director, with Tohmé assuming curatorial responsibilities in October 2022.
Key facts
- The 18th Istanbul Biennial is titled 'The Three-Legged Cat' and curated by Christine Tohmé.
- It runs from 2025 to 2027, with the first exhibition from 20 September to 23 November 2025.
- Over 40 artists are participating in the first phase, including Haig Aivazian, Abdullah Al Saadi, and Ana Alenso.
- The biennial is organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV).
- The event follows controversy involving rejected curator Defne Ayas and subsequent curator Iwona Blazwick's resignation.
- Kevser Güler is the new director of the Istanbul Biennial.
- The second phase in 2026 will create an academy and public programs.
- The third phase in 2027 will feature final exhibitions and workshops.
Entities
Artists
- Haig Aivazian
- Abdullah Al Saadi
- Ana Alenso
- Willy Aractingi
- Karimah Ashadu
- Mona Benyamin
- Chen Ching-Yuan
- Ian Davis
- Nolan Oswald Dennis
- İpek Duben
- Celina Eceiza
- Ali Eyal
- Eva Fàbregas
- Simone Fattal
- Lou Fauroux
- Pélagie Gbaguidi
- Lungiswa Gqunta
- Rafik Greiss
- Ola Hassanain
- Doruntina Kastrati
- Jasleen Kaur
- Şafak Şule Kemancı
- Kongkee
- Seta Manoukian
- Mona Marzouk
- Merve Mepa
- Valentin Noujaïm
- Claudia Pagès Rabal
- Pilar Quinteros
- Khalil Rabah
- Jagdeep Raina
- Marwan Rechmaoui
- Naomi Rincón-Gallardo
- Riar Rizaldi
- Lara Saab
- Sara Sadik
- Stéphanie Saadé
- Sohail Salem
- Elif Saydam
- Selma Selman
- Natasha Tontey
- Sevil Tunaboylu
- VASKOS
- Ana Vaz
- Dilek Winchester
- Akram Zaatari
- Ayman Zedani
- Christine Tohmé
- Defne Ayas
- Iwona Blazwick
- Kevser Güler
- Annette Meier
Institutions
- Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV)
- Whitechapel Gallery
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Beirut
- Lebanon
- Khor Fakkan
- United Arab Emirates
- Caracas
- Venezuela
- New York
- United States
- Barcelona
- Spain
- London
- United Kingdom
- Haifa
- Israel
- Tainan
- Taiwan
- Indianapolis
- Lusaka
- Zambia
- Tandil
- Argentina
- Baghdad
- Iraq
- Damascus
- Syria
- Mulhouse
- France
- Dakar
- Senegal
- Gqeberha
- South Africa
- Cairo
- Egypt
- Khartoum
- Sudan
- Prizren
- Kosovo
- Glasgow
- Sarawak
- Malaysia
- Alexandria
- Kocaeli
- Angers
- Santiago
- Chile
- Jerusalem
- Guelph
- Canada
- North Carolina
- Bandung
- Indonesia
- Montreal
- Bordeaux
- Gaza
- Palestine
- Calgary
- Bihać
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Minahasa
- Brasília
- Brazil
- Saida
- Abha
- Saudi Arabia
- Venice