Istanbul, September 2025 – The 20th edition of Contemporary Istanbul is set to be a landmark year, not only for the fair itself but also for the Sigg Art Foundation, which for the very first time will present a curated selection from its Founder’s Collection. From 24–28 September 2025, at Tersane, Booth F-104, visitors will discover a carefully chosen dialogue between painting and digital culture — a theme central to the Foundation’s mission of bridging heritage and innovation.

The presentation highlights both contemporary and historical voices, offering audiences an encounter that spans eras and geographies. Featured artists include Korakrit Arunanondchai, Monia Ben Hamouda, Meriem Bennani, Neïl Beloufa, Jean Claracq, Louisa Gagliardi, and Austin Lee, alongside historical pieces by Charles Ross and Jean-Baptiste Vanmour. Adding an unexpected twist, the collection also includes a work by Johnny Depp, reflecting the Foundation’s open, boundary-crossing approach to collecting.

“For years, my collection remained private, a personal journey of discovery. Presenting it publicly for the first time is about opening a dialogue between painting and digital culture, between heritage and innovation, and ultimately between different audiences and geographies,” says Pierre Sigg, founder of the Sigg Art Foundation.

A Collection at the Crossroads of Tradition and Technology

The exhibition underscores a defining focus of the Sigg Art Foundation: exploring how traditional media, especially painting, continues to evolve in conversation with digital culture. From charcoal and pencil works to digitally infused canvases, the collection mirrors the transitions shaping today’s art world.

By showing in Istanbul — a city known for its role as a cultural bridge between East and West — the Foundation situates its first public presentation at the heart of global dialogue. For Pierre Sigg, the timing and location were intentional:

“Istanbul stands at the intersection of cultures. To show the collection here, at Contemporary Istanbul’s 20th edition, is to situate it in a place where East and West meet. A setting that reflects the very ethos of the Foundation: building bridges through art.”

Contemporary Istanbul at 20

Since its founding in 2006, Contemporary Istanbul has grown into Türkiye’s leading international art fair, attracting galleries, institutions, and collectors from across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. Its 20th edition reinforces its identity as a cross-continental meeting point where civic dialogue and private collections converge.

The Sigg Art Foundation’s participation in this celebratory year reflects the evolving role of private collectors in shaping the global art conversation. By opening up what was once personal, the Foundation not only honors its commitment to supporting emerging artists but also adds new layers to the fair’s dynamic platform.

About the Sigg Art Foundation

Founded in 2020, the Sigg Art Foundation operates as an independent non-profit with a strong focus on emerging voices at the intersection of art and technology. Based on a private estate in the South of France, its residency program fosters creativity, exchange, and collaboration across cultures. The Foundation works internationally, funded through partnerships, consulting services, and the continued support of Pierre Sigg.

Through exhibitions, residencies, and acquisitions, the Foundation amplifies artists who challenge history and heritage through digital innovation, placing them in continuity with modern and post-war practices.

About Pierre Sigg

A Swiss entrepreneur and collector, Pierre Sigg has long been fascinated by the relationship between art, culture, and technology. Before founding the Sigg Art Foundation, he hosted residencies at his home in Le Castellet, France, supporting both established and emerging artists. Today, he continues to develop projects that merge tradition with new technologies while also working as a seed investor based in Saudi Arabia.

A New Chapter in Istanbul

With its debut at Contemporary Istanbul 2025, the Sigg Art Foundation enters the public sphere with an offering that is as much about dialogue as it is about display. The Founder’s Collection reveals a vision where painting and digital innovation converge — a testament to art’s evolving language in the 21st century.

For fair visitors, Booth F-104 will not just be an exhibition space, but a stage for connection, curiosity, and cultural exchange — a reflection of both Istanbul’s spirit and the Foundation’s mission.