Contemporary Istanbul fair highlights Asian art

The 21st edition of Contemporary Istanbul (CI21) recently took place from September 23 to 27, serving as a cultural bridge between East and West. A primary focus of this year's fair was the ‘Focus: Asia’ section, which highlighted contemporary art from China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Founder Ali Güreli stated that the initiative aims to introduce the Turkish art world and collectors to Asian art ecosystems to foster long-term collaborations. He noted that exchanges between Chinese and Turkish galleries have already begun. Curator Pearl Lam, participating for the first time, brought works from artists representing three different generations from China, Japan, Nigeria, and the UK, aiming to use contemporary art to revitalize traditional expressions.

Notable sculptural works featured at the event include Alice Aycock’s ‘Spinning Top,’ a white powder-coated aluminum structure exploring the tension between mathematical order and chaotic energy, and Tony Cragg’s ‘Ivy,’ a vertical wooden sculpture that uses rhythmic, undulating planes to mimic organic biological movement.