ISTANBUL.- Twenty-five years after opening in Istanbul, Galerist celebrates a quarter-century of contemporary art with Labour of Love, a major exhibition bringing together more than 40 artists whose practices have helped shape the gallery’s identity since its founding in 2001. The exhibition features artists including Nil Yalter, Ayşe Erkmen, İpek Duben, Elif Uras, Gavin Turk, Hera Büyüktaşcıyan, Hussein Chalayan, Kendell Geers, Taner Ceylan, Semiha Berksoy, and Youssef Nabil alongside artists who have been central to Galerist’s programme over the past two decades.
Opening on 16 September 2026, the exhibition features significant historical works alongside new commissions created especially for the occasion, offering a reflection on the relationships, ideas and exchanges that have defined Galerist’s evolution and its contribution to contemporary art in Turkey and beyond.
Through more than 200 exhibitions, Galerist has built a programme supporting successive generations of emerging and established artists, stewarding artists’ estates and fostering connections between Turkey’s contemporary art scene and international audiences. Defined by artist-centred programming, equal gender representation and a commitment to diverse artistic practices, the gallery has established itself as one of Turkey’s leading contemporary art galleries.
Conceived around the idea of self-portraiture, Labour of Love invites each artist to present works that reflect the distinctive qualities of their practice. Rather than focusing on literal representation, the exhibition explores identity through materials, recurring forms, and artistic processes. Across painting, sculpture, textiles, photography, video, installation and performance, the exhibition brings together a wide range of artistic approaches, with works exploring themes including memory, cultural identity, representation and material experimentation. Historical works sit alongside newly commissioned pieces, creating conversations around generations, disciplines and perspectives.
Müge Çubukçu, Director, says: “Galerist has always been built on relationships: with artists, curators, collectors and audiences who have shaped the gallery alongside us. Over the past twenty-five years, our identity has grown through collaboration, trust and a shared commitment to artistic exploration. Labour of Love is a celebration of the many voices that have contributed to our journey, and we are delighted to bring them together in Istanbul for this special exhibition. We hope visitors will experience the creativity, generosity and exchange that continue to define Galerist today.”
The title, Labour of Love, reflects the sustained commitment behind artistic practice and the long-term relationships that underpin Galerist’s programme. Concluding the gallery’s anniversary programme, which throughout 2026 has included solo exhibitions dedicated to women artists from its roster alongside a series of curated group exhibitions, the exhibition marks a significant milestone, celebrating twenty-five years of artistic collaboration while looking ahead to Galerist’s next chapter and continued international engagement.
On view until 7 November 2026, Labour of Love features works by :mentalKLINIK, Hüseyin Bahri Alptekin, Haluk Akakçe, Yeşim Akdeniz, Rasim Aksan, Francesco Albano, Semiha Berksoy, Hera Büyüktaşcıyan, Taner Ceylan, Hussein Chalayan, Michael Craig-Martin, Ergin Çavuşoğlu, İpek Duben, Ayşe Erkmen, Leyla Gediz, Kendell Geers, Murat Şahinler, Mustafa Hulusi, İdil İlkin, Merve İşeri, Şahin Kaygun, Nuri Kuzucan, Arik Levy, Merve Morkoç, Youssef Nabil, Julian Opie, Lara Ögel, Serkan Özkaya, Güçlü Öztekin, Seza Paker, Thomas Ruff, Sarkis, Yusuf Sevinçli, Erinç Seymen, Arslan Sükan, Ali Emir Tapan, Evren Tekinoktay, Ayça Telgeren, Defne Tesal, Margaret R. Thompson, Gavin Turk, TUNCA, Elif Uras, Viron Erol Vert, Erwin Wurm, Nil Yalter, Burcu Yağcıoğlu, and Nazım Ünal Yılmaz.
