CI Bloom 2026

CI Bloom 2026

15 - 18 April 2026

Bringing together the local and international dynamics of contemporary art in the heart of Istanbul, Galeri 77 presents a curated selection of original works by 24 artists, reflecting the profound depth of its portfolio at CI Bloom 2026. Taking place at the inspiring atmosphere of the Lütfi Kırdar Congress and Exhibition Center between April 15–19, 2026, the gallery will showcase the evolving productions of its established artists while dedicating a special focus to Bahadır Baruter, Narek Barseghyan and Mahir Kurtulan, whose works will be exhibited in a fair environment for the first time. The presentation offers a diverse technical spectrum ranging from bronze sculpture to textile-based surface explorations, and from oil paintings to multi-layered paper works.

This year’s curation strikes a balance between experimental approaches that push the physical boundaries of materials and narrative forms that delve into the depths of the human psyche. From sculpture to charcoal and from weaving to oil on canvas, this eclectic structure reflects the gallery’s vision of uniting diverse aesthetic languages within a common curatorial framework. By blending traditional craft disciplines with a contemporary aesthetic, the selection underscores the long-standing bond of trust between the gallery and its artists, alongside Galeri 77’s innovative pursuits.

New Names and Conceptual Horizons

The three new artists at the center of the fair selection add fresh layers to Galeri 77’s artistic diversity:

Bahadır Baruter: Transforming a career-long legacy in caricature into a striking figurative sculpture practice, Baruter stands out with his cast bronze works featured in the fair. The artist utilizes the timeless and monumental nature of bronze to materialize the existential anxieties, internal entrapment, and silent resistance of the modern individual under the concept of “predestination” (mukadderat). These works confront the viewer with a dramatic and imposing interpretation of the human form, clashing the weight of existence with physical volume.

Narek Barseghyan: Approaching painting as a method of “artistic documentation,” Barseghyan translates the collective memory and contemporary street culture of post-Soviet Armenia onto his canvases. By rejecting traditional rules of perspective, he constructs multi-lingual and collage-like compositions where complex concepts such as identity, borders, and belonging merge with the raw energy of urban life. His works investigate the resonance of individual stories within collective memory.

Mahir Kurtulan: Combining the disciplined structure of traditional Turkish arts with a modern exploration of materials, Kurtulan offers a unique surface investigation through the unconventional use of textiles and paper. Translating the techniques of “stacking” and “layering” derived from Asian ink painting into a contemporary language, the artist constructs his works as meditative objects exploring the balance between light, shadow, and void, inviting the viewer into a profound textural depth.