Is Istanbul’s art scene set for growth, or facing an uphill battle? What’s the mood on the ground and how are galleries adapting?
Join us to hear industry experts take the pulse of the art landscape ahead of the 18th edition of the Istanbul Biennial and Contemporary Istanbul.
Speakers include:
Jade Turanlı, Founder and director, PI Artworks, Eda Kehale Argün, Art advisor and senior representative consultant at Christie's, for Turkey and Anlam de Coster Arslanoglu, curator, advisor and founder, Fairplay.
Moderated by Bengü Gün, Strategic Advisor, Curator and COO at esea contemporary.
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm BST / 2:00 pm / 2:45 pm Istanbul, Turkey. This event is open to all. Please fill in the below form to RSVP.
Please note that by joining the event, you agree to be part of a recorded session which may be used for marketing or promotional purposes.
Speaker Bios:
Eda Kehale Argün, Senior Representative Consultant for Christie’s and Independent Art Advisor
Eda Kehale Argün has for the past 16 years represented Christie's as a Senior Consultant for Turkey, working to develop collections with Turkish clients across a variety of fields, including Contemporary Art, Jewelry, Watches and Antiquities. Eda also continues to work as an advisor for a variety of projects, including personal and corporate collections and curatorial endeavours. Kehale often emphasizes the importance of young generations in the visual arts and was on the Jury of the Mamut Art Project in 2015. She is also an ambassador to Genç Modern, Istanbul Modern’s programme for young art enthusiasts and collectors.
Anlam de Coster Arslanoglu, Artistic Director of Zeyrek Çinili Hamam, curator, writer and advisor
Anlam de Coster has shaped curatorial and strategic directions across museums, art fairs, and cultural institutions in Paris, London, and Istanbul for over 17 years. Her recent exhibitions include The Volcano Lover (Galerist, 2025) as well as Anousha Payne: Murmurations (2025), Alekos Fassianos: Sailing to Byzantium (2024) and Healing Ruins (2023), at Zeyrek Çinili Hamam, where she serves as Artistic Director. She is also the founder of Fairplay, her strategic consultancy operating at the intersection of art and design.
In previous years, she has worked with leading institutions such as Istanbul Modern, SALT, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and has managed large-scale international projects for the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) in collaboration with Christie’s and the Institut de France. She regularly collaborated with galleries, magazines, and fashion brands. Anlam also brings deep expertise in the art fair ecosystem. At Artsy, she led global strategic partnerships and played a pivotal role in the digital transformation of major international fairs. She has held leadership and advisory roles with PAD London, NOMAD, ARTINTERNATIONAL, and FIAC. She holds a BA in Economics from Galatasaray University and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, and an MA in Arts and Media Management with Cum Laude honors from Sciences Po Paris. She is currently based in Paris.
Jade Turanlı, Founder and Director of Pi Artworks
Jade Turanlı is the founder and director of Pi Artworks, a contemporary art gallery based in London and Istanbul. Known for championing cross-cultural and interdisciplinary practices, she works closely with emerging and mid-career artists.
In 2025, Turanlı co-founded Pi Soundworks with artist, musician and producer Liam Howe, a platform exploring the intersection of contemporary music and visual art. She is also active as an estate representative and cultural producer, and divides her time between London and Istanbul.
Bengü Gün, Strategic Advisor, Curator and Chief Operating Officer at esea contemporary.
Bengü is a Manchester-based curator and consultant in the arts and heritage sector with over fifteen years of experience leading strategic and curatorial initiatives across major cultural institutions in Türkiye and internationally. She is the Co-Founder of Mixer (İstanbul), an innovative art platform dedicated to supporting emerging artists, and former Director of Gate 27 (İstanbul), an international artist residency fostering interdisciplinary exchange. Gün has provided strategic consultancy for creative industry projects in the UK, USA, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer at esea contemporary (Manchester), UK’s only non-profit organisation specialising in presenting and platforming artists and art practices that are informed by East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) heritages. Alongside her institutional role, she continues her independent curatorial practice.
AWITA’s Forecast Series is now sponsored by Hallett Independent, a leading specialist in fine art insurance. Committed to supporting the arts, Hallett Independent prides itself on deep industry knowledge and the ability to stay ahead of evolving landscapes.
