The 19th Istanbul Biennial will take place from Sept. 18 to Nov. 14, 2027, bringing one of the city’s most prominent international art events back to audiences with a new curatorial vision.
Organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts and sponsored by Koç Holding as part of its long-term biennial support (2007–2036), the upcoming edition will be curated by Chinese artist and curator Liu Ding and art historian Carol Yinghua Lu.
The curatorial duo has collaborated since 2007, developing research-driven exhibitions that explore historical narratives and contemporary artistic discourse. They previously served as artistic directors of the 8th Yokohama Triennale in 2024 and have curated a wide range of international exhibitions across Asia and Europe.
In a joint statement, Liu and Lu described the biennial as a platform known for enabling bold artistic and curatorial experimentation. They noted that the 2027 edition will respond to what they see as a period marked by political instability and the growing influence of algorithmic technologies on daily life.
According to the curators, contemporary art often seeks “elsewhere” as a way of coping with existential concerns. The upcoming biennial, they said, aims to shift that focus inward, encouraging artists and audiences alike to confront present realities and reclaim the agency of both art and the individual.
They added that the exhibition intends to move beyond reactive commentary and technological escapism, instead fostering a renewed emphasis on critical thinking and the transformative power of artistic ideas. The biennial will seek to create a space where new possibilities for artistic practice can be actively built rather than merely imagined.
Press previews for the 19th edition will be held between Sept. 14 and 17, 2027, ahead of the public opening on Sept. 18. The event will run through Nov. 14 with the support of international partners and funding bodies.
The biennial’s advisory board includes figures from across the global art world, such as Ahu Antmen, Lydia Gatundu Galavu, Gözde İlkin, Renan Laru-an and Sally Tallant.
