Dirimart is pleased to announce the opening of its new gallery space in Mayfair, London. Marking the gallery’s first international venue, Dirimart London will open in 2025. Spanning the ground floor and first floors, it offers 275 square metres of exhibition space. Located in Mayfair, renowned for its rich concentration of globally acclaimed art galleries, the new venue places Dirimart at the heart of London’s dynamic art scene.
Founded in 2002 by Hazer Özil, Dirimart was formed with a vision to bring together artists from Turkey and abroad in a context that fosters critical dialogue and cultural exchange. Through its participation in esteemed global art events, such as Photo London, Frieze Sculpture, La Biennale di Venezia, Art Cologne, ART SG, and The Armory Show, the gallery has secured a distinguished place in the international contemporary art scene. Representing an impressive roster of artists such as Ayşe Erkmen, İnci Eviner, Sarkis, and Nuri Bilge Ceylan, alongside international names like Shirin Neshat, Sarah Morris, and Tomokazu Matsuyama, Dirimart’s London expansion signifies its continued engagement with an international audience. Founder Hazer Özil emphasises the significance of this important step, stating:
'At Dirimart, expanding our collaboration with artists has always been central to our vision. Alongside our publishing initiatives and commitment to fostering critical dialogue, we strive to create a truly inclusive and international platform. While our origins are rooted in Turkey, our London gallery aims to establish itself as a global space, embracing diversity in our artistic roster rather than being confined by geographic boundaries. Opening in London represents a bold step forward in advancing our international aspirations and solidifying our identity as a global gallery.'
The renovation of the gallery space is being overseen by New York-based architectural firm studioMDA, spearheaded by Markus Dochantschi. Standing out as his first gallery project in London, the renovation blends modern aesthetics with Mayfair’s historic architectural character. The firm’s approach prioritises transparency, both physically and institutionally. The gallery’s street-facing façade features large windows that provide direct sightlines into the main ground-floor exhibition space. Visitors will enter through a lobby designed with a welcoming desk and a library alcove, featuring books on Dirimart’s artists and past exhibitions. Dochantschi explains:
'The gallery’s design aims to create a seamless dialogue between the artwork and its architectural environment, blending visibility and functionality in a way that reflects Dirimart’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.'
While the inaugural exhibition and 2025 programme will be announced in the coming months, the new space is envisioned as a hub for supporting emerging artists with ties to Turkey while also exploring themes of intergenerational exchange, regional and individual diversity, and global collaboration. Levent Özmen, Director of Dirimart London, shares:
'As a gallery that has hosted the first shows in Istanbul of internationally recognised artists such as Shirin Neshat, Sarah Morris, Candida Höfer, and Hermann Nitsch, and published remarkable monographs on Ayşe Erkmen, Sarkis, Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, and Nuri Bilge Ceylan, our aim has always been to foster cross-geographical dialogues. With our new space in London, we are excited to build on this legacy, bringing our artists together with the city’s dynamic art scene and its engaged audience.'
