Çelenk Bafra has been appointed Artistic Director of Istanbul Modern. Her appointment follows the departure of the institution’s long-term director Levent Çalıkoğlu last September, shortly after the unveiling of its new building designed by Renzo Piano.
The reason for Çalıkoğlu’s stepping down is undisclosed. Istanbul newspaper Milliyet suggests it was related to ‘differences in principles concerning acquisitions’ between Çalıkoğlu and the institution.
Çelenk is former curator and director of exhibitions and programs at Istanbul Modern from 2011 to 2018. After which she served as director of the SAHA – Supporting Contemporary Art from Turkey and the SAHA Studio. Between 2001 and 2010, Bafra worked at the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) where she served as the director of the Istanbul Biennial and artistic coordinator in international programs such as the Venice Biennale.
As artistic director at Istanbul Modern, Bafra will oversee the institution’s art programmes, collections and curatorial practices, with a particular focus on upping its international projects and collaborations.
