Aiming to contribute to the production of independent and innovative contemporary art in Turkey, ALAN Istanbul – located in the backstreets of Tünel in Beyoğlu – was founded by Efe Korkut Kurt and Aslı Biçer in 2009, and is run by a team of fine arts, architecture and economics graduates.

ALAN endeavours to bring international contemporary art to Istanbul and, in turn, showcase Istanbul’s contemporary artists to an international audience. The modern black-and-white space hosts national and international exhibitions and projects spanning the disciplines of visual art, design, performance art, video, film and plastic art. The gallery is not just concerned with the commercial aspect of art but also wants to offer a free and independent place for artistic activities, through its Project Rooms initiative.

ALAN’s roster of artists is also growing. Until recently, it comprised mostly of Turkish artists but with the addition of young Polish artist Monika Bulanda, French photographer Ayline Olukman and today’s answer to Andy Warhol, Ryan Paul Simmons, ALAN’s expansion is evident. Some of the Turkish artists ALAN represents include caricaturist and designer Turgut Yüksel; Murat Pulat who is fascinated with images of cinema (Godard, in particular) in his work; Ayşegül Sağbaş, whose colourful paintings make strong references to female roles in society; and A. Cem Şahin, who strives for a timeless form of artistic production in his works.