Istanbul Modern Unveils 'Beneath the Same Blue' Exhibition

On September 10, 2026, Istanbul Modern opened its 10th collection exhibition, 'Beneath the Same Blue', at the Dr. Nejat F. Eczacıbaşı Collection Gallery. The show brings together 230 works by 119 artists, tracing the arc of modern and contemporary art in Türkiye from the 1940s to the present day. Among these are over 40 pieces being shown to the public for the first time, offering a new look at the museum’s holdings and their place in history.

The curation uses the motif of blue to connect different eras, locations, and personal experiences. Artistic Director Çelenk Bafra noted that the color represents themes like the sea, the horizon, dreams, and shared encounters. This blue thread acts as a broad framework, encouraging visitors to see how artistic practices have shifted across time and geography. By blending historical timelines with thematic groupings, the exhibition builds a detailed picture of how art has developed in Türkiye.

The display is organized into two primary sections. The first follows the chronological path of Turkish art from the 1940s through to the 2000s, moving from early abstraction to changing figurative styles while reflecting broader social and cultural shifts. The second part focuses on work produced after 2000 by artists from different generations. These later pieces are arranged by theme, using various artistic methods to engage with modern issues.

Featured in the collection are major works by celebrated Turkish photographers and artists, including Ersin Alok, Ara Güler, Yıldız Moran, and Sedat Pakay. Their contributions sit alongside pieces by contemporary figures such as Antonis Donef, Julie Mehretu, and Gülsün Karamustafa, creating a conversation between the past and the present. Using a mix of painting, video, photography, sculpture, and installation, the exhibition explores ideas of identity, migration, memory, and the natural world.

'Beneath the Same Blue' represents a significant moment for Istanbul Modern, highlighting how art mirrors changes in society. The exhibition provides a space for dialogue on how cultural narratives are formed and how expression continues to change in Türkiye and the wider world. As the museum grows its collection, it continues to serve as a home for the work of both new and long-established artists.