Hürriyet pazar / 21 Haziran 2026, Sanat (Art)

“Being a Gallerist in Turkey Is Like Selling Ice Cream at the Poles”

The story of Dimart, which began in a small gallery in Nişantaşı and extended to London, has become one of the rare success stories in Turkey’s art scene. Founder Hazer Ozan Gül, whose gallery approaches its 25th year, spoke about the development of contemporary art, support for young artists, and said: “Actually, there is still a lot to talk about in the art scene.”

By Uygar Taylan

Founded in Nişantaşı as one of the city’s small galleries, Dimart later reached London and became one of the few Turkish galleries to gain visibility internationally. Founder Hazer Ozan Gül describes the journey and reflects on the challenges of building a gallery in Turkey.

He says that operating a gallery in Turkey often feels like “selling ice cream at the poles,” emphasizing the limited market conditions and structural difficulties.

The article discusses:

• the evolution of Turkey’s contemporary art ecosystem,
• the gallery’s expansion abroad,
• supporting emerging artists,
• and concerns about sustainability in the local art market.

Image caption (top artwork):
“Song of the Earth” (World Song), Jorinde Voigt, 2016