Istanbul Biennial Faces Turmoil as Curator Christine Tohmé Exits Amid Institutional Crisis
The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) has decided to cancel the 18th Istanbul Biennial after curator Christine Tohmé resigned in December 2025 due to personal reasons. Initially planned for 2024 and later postponed to 2025, the event aimed to highlight perspectives from the Global South through quarterly programs. The first segment was inaugurated in September 2025 at Zihni Han, showcasing artists such as Selma Selman and Ahmad Ghossein. In the wake of Tohmé's exit, IKSV will now appoint a curator for the 19th edition, scheduled for 2027. The foundation has faced backlash regarding its management of events amid Turkey's political situation and recently named Yeşim Gürer Oymak as its inaugural female general director.
Key facts
- The 18th Istanbul Biennial was cut short after curator Christine Tohmé stepped down in December 2025.
- Tohmé's vision, 'The Three-Legged Cat,' was planned as a three-year program with quarterly public events.
- The biennial was originally postponed from 2024 to 2025 following a crisis involving curator Defne Ayas's replacement.
- IKSV's advisory board will select a curator for the 19th Istanbul Biennial, scheduled for 2027.
- IKSV appointed Yeşim Gürer Oymak as its first female general director amid reputational challenges.
- The biennial's Production and Research Programme (ÇAP) ended in 2024 after being led by Zeyno Pekünlü since 2018.
- IKSV has faced criticism for its handling of political issues, including the imprisonment of Osman Kavala in 2017.
- A MeToo-style wave of allegations swept Turkey's arts sector in August 2025, leading to institutional responses.
Entities
Artists
- Kaya Genç
- Defne Ayas
- Iwona Blazwick
- Sarkis
- Christine Tohmé
- Nicolas Bourriaud
- Selma Selman
- Ahmad Ghossein
- Ahu Antmen
- Lydia Gatundu Galavu
- Gözde İlkin
- Renan Laru-an
- Sally Tallant
- Zeyno Pekünlü
- Osman Kavala
- Ekrem İmamoğlu
- Şakir Eczacıbaşı
Institutions
- Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV)
- Ashkal Alwan
- Turkish Cinematheque Association
- Argonotlar
- International Association of Art Critics (AICA)
- Beyoğlu Municipality
- Ministry of Culture
Locations
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Beirut
- Lebanon
- Venice
- Italy
- Saudi Arabia
- Beyoğlu
- Zihni Han
- Garden of the Former French Orphanage