As can be understood from the title, “Apel 15” is an anniversary exhibition. This time in our exhibition, which features new and choice works by many of our artists, we did not aim to focus on a specific theme. It is already possible to see the social and cultural reflections of a rapidly changing world in recent art productions.

The 13th Istanbul Biennial draws attention to public spaces. Alongside the many events organized in conjunction with the Biennial, we would like galleries as public spaces to also be represented within this significant approach.Apel’s space was bought in 1994 and designed by architect Nevzat Sayın. When Gallery Apel opened its doors with the exhibition “Palate” in 1998 in the Apelyan Apartments there was not a single gallery in the vicinity. Today, our neighborhood has acquired a new identity with its ever increasing number of galleries. With the art walk project initiated by galleries in the district, the area came to be known by an international name (TOPHANEARTWALK). Thus was created a large public area where art can be explored.Artists who provided their valuable contribution to our celebratory exhibition Apel 15: İdil Akbostancı, Aydan Baktır, Bayram Candan, Sakine Çil, Sümbül Eren, Şakir Gökçebağ, Can Göknil, Aslımay Altay Göney, Güler Güngör, Yücel Kale, Kurucu Koçanoğlu, Azade Köker, Nermin Kura, Selin Levi, Suzy Hug Levy, Canan Pak, Leyla Sakpınar, Emre Senan, Maria Sezer, Zeynep Perinçek Signoret, Elif Süsler, Rüçhan Şahinoğlu, Yıldız Şermet, Gamze Taşdan, Esma Paçal Turam, Hande Varsat,Y. Bahadır Yıldız.