Istanbul galleries in crisis: Rampa closes after 7 years

Istanbul's art scene faces a diaspora as galleries close and events are cancelled. The 2017 Istanbul Biennial, curated by Elmgreen & Dragset, opens September 16 amid political tensions. In 2016, Ahmet Gunestekin's work 'Kostantiniyye' was censored and removed. Vasif Kortun resigned from SALT, citing a desire for new projects but previously describing post-coup Turkey as 'a difficult place to live.' The Çanakkale Biennale was cancelled in 2016. In December 2016, Russian ambassador Andrey Karlov was assassinated at an art opening in Ankara. Rampa gallery closed after 7 years with a show by Selma Gürbüz; founders Arif Suyabatmaz and Leyla Tara Suyabatmaz gave no clear reason. In 2014, Rodeo gallery announced a London space but closed its Istanbul branch in 2015.