PİLEVNELİ was founded by Murat Pilevneli in 2017 in the Dolapdere district of Istanbul, with the goal of becoming one of the most significant actors on the international contemporary art stage. The gallery made a striking entrance into the art world with its inaugural exhibitions, In Between Realities by Belgian artist Johan Creten and We Are All Light by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. In addition to its main venue in Istanbul, PİLEVNELİ also has a presence in Yalıkavak, offering a broader perspective on Turkey’s contemporary art scene. Representing artists who bring new approaches to artistic expression and shape the direction of contemporary art, the gallery curates an innovative and visionary program.
Murat Pilevneli, the founder of PİLEVNELİ, has long been one of the most influential figures in Turkey’s contemporary art scene. Starting his art career in the late 1990s, he set out with a mission to elevate Turkish contemporary art to the international stage and recontextualize globally influential contemporary art figures within the Turkish context. In line with this mission, he opened a pioneering art space in Istanbul in 2001, which contributed significantly to the cause, providing a platform not only for emerging talent but also for well-established artists. Pilevneli believed that art should transcend boundaries, and through this space, he represented Turkish contemporary art at international art fairs and exhibitions. In this process, he worked tirelessly to make Turkish art visible on a global scale while also introducing international art to Turkey. By founding PİLEVNELİ in 2017, he took another step forward, aiming to strengthen this perspective on a global level with a broader and more experienced outlook. Pilevneli’s deep commitment to art and his vision have made him not just a gallerist but also one of the figures shaping the future of art in Turkey. The establishment of PİLEVNELİ reflects his goal of further consolidating the power of contemporary art on both a national and international scale.
PİLEVNELİ Dolapdere’s impressive five-story building, designed by renowned architect Emre Arolat (EAA), was shortlisted in the cultural buildings category at the 2018 World Architecture Festival. This iconic structure, blending architecture and art, transcends the idea of being merely a space for exhibiting art, becoming a dynamic center for contemporary art.