Sevil Dolmacı Gallery: Elevating artistic horizons in Dubai and beyond

Sevil Dolmaci introduces her cherished endeavor, the Sevil Dolmacı Gallery, to the shores of the United Arab Emirates, spotlighting both Turkish and international artists. An accomplished art historian holding master’s and doctorate degrees in art history, Sevil founded her consultancy, with the scope of catering to Turkey’s most esteemed art collectors, as well as international private collectors, artists, and galleries. In addition to her consultancy work, Sevil has contributed to significant projects including the DEMSA Group Art Consultancy and Museum Project, St. Regis Hotel Project, Demirören Group Art Consultancy, Kemer Country Golf Club Sculpture Park Project, and the Kabakçı Collection Art Consultancy. Her establishment of a gallery in Istanbul in 2020 was indicative of the calibre of her expertise. Inspired by the constantly evolving art scene in the UAE and driven by the desire to strengthen relations between Turkey and the UAE, Sevil found ample motivation to open a branch in Dubai. Gazetta sits down with the iconic Sevil to delve deeper into her artistic visions for the region.

FV: Share with our readers some insights into your background, and what made you venture into the art world.

SD: I completed my bachelor’s degree in art history, followed by my master’s and doctoral studies in contemporary art. After university, I began my career as an academic at Başkent University in Ankara, one of Turkey’s most esteemed private universities. While I found fulfilment in teaching, I realized that I needed to explore more avenues to fuel my passion for art. I yearned to immerse myself in different art scenes, engage with diverse artists, and exchange experiences and knowledge with them. Additionally, I was eager to understand the commercial workings of the art sector.

These motivations prompted me to make a sudden decision to resign from the university and relocate to Istanbul. There, I embarked on a new journey as an art consultant for the Sabancı Family, one of Turkey’s most prominent families. They were in the process of establishing a contemporary museum in collaboration with Zaha Hadid, an acclaimed Iraqi-British architect, artist and designer, renowned for her contributions to late-20th and early-21st-century architecture.

Joining forces with Thomas Krens, the consultant of the Guggenheim Museums, and Zaha Hadid, I spent two years working on this project. During this time, I facilitated international art acquisitions, which provided me with a broader perspective on the art market. I participated in workshops led by renowned artists from around the world and negotiated high-budget deals with galleries in America and Europe. These experiences not only brought me immense happiness but also fortified my expertise and confidence in this field.

FV: There are very few successful galleries in Dubai focused on international contemporary art. What encouraged you to take that plunge and open your second gallery in Dubai?

SD: Our international expansion commenced with relocating our umbrella company to the Netherlands. Following the establishment of our Istanbul branch, we opened our Dubai branch in October. Currently, we are strategizing to expand the gallery into Saudi Arabia. Once the connections between our Dubai and Riyadh branches are solidified, our next steps involve launching branches in London and New York.

The global art market’s shift towards the East has made Dubai a pivotal art hub. Similarly, Riyadh is demonstrating a significant interest in the arts. Saudi Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud has been actively promoting art projects, foreseeing the East as the new Europe. Thus, aligning with this global trend, I have devised our expansion plan accordingly. In light of Europe and America redirecting their focus towards the East, we have temporarily postponed our growth plans in America and Europe following our expansion in the East.

I’ve always been willing to take risks in my quest for growth, yet in Dubai, I find a greater sense of security, strengthened by the support of the local Turkish community. Beyond our Turkish clientele, we’ve established a loyal local following in Dubai, Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, who frequently patronize our Istanbul gallery. This move to Dubai has further solidified our bonds with them.

Situated in the heart of Dubai’s Design District, our Dubai Gallery occupies a central position where art, design, and fashion converge. Our venue was meticulously crafted to accommodate large-scale artworks. Sevil Dolmacı Dubai boasts a soaring ceiling height of 7 meters and a spacious gallery area spanning 300 square meters. So far, we’ve already hosted three solo exhibitions featuring esteemed contemporary artists from Turkey and Europe, along with an international group exhibition showcasing the works of 12 artists from diverse corners of the globe. On March 27th, we unveiled our second international group exhibition, set to run with a rotating selection of artists and artworks until August 30, 2024. Throughout the remainder of the 2024 art season, we’ll continue to showcase significant artists from America and Europe while collaborating with and supporting local and regional talents.

FV: What are your thoughts on the art scene in the UAE and across the Middle East? In what ways do you believe Sevil Dolmaci, both as an art enthusiast and through the Sevil Dolmaci Art Gallery, will contribute to enriching the region’s art landscape?

SD: The Middle East has a young and multinational group of people who are constantly developing and learning. People are curious about art. It is very easy to communicate with them because everyone has a good command of technology. We aim to share international contemporary art with art lovers in a broad perspective and open the doors to new worlds for them.

FV: How do you perceive the art collector community in the Middle East? What specific qualities or types of art are sought after by collectors in the region, and how do you believe the entire art fraternity can collaborate to address any existing gaps or needs?

SD: Middle Eastern collectors are a knowledgeable audience, adept at sourcing information efficiently. They possess the ability to swiftly analyze pertinent information and make informed purchases. Consequently, we witness an emergence of artistic and cultural innovation surrounding contemporary art, driven by an intrinsic motivation and a visionary approach that blends global trends with a distinctive local flavour. This results in a collector base engaged in a contemporary, intellectual and multinational artistic and cultural renaissance.

FV: What is your opinion regarding the art fairs like Art Dubai, Abu Dhabi Art, Art Cairo, and Riyadh Art Fair? Do you believe they sufficiently cater to the preferences and interests of art enthusiasts?

SD: Currently, art fairs are characterized by stringent criteria, yet they hold a position of high quality and intrigue. There is ample room for development and expansion within this realm. Many galleries aspire to participate in these art fairs and establish a presence in this vibrant space and region. I believe that local fairs should embrace growth opportunities through international partnerships, given the considerable demand and interest in the region.

FV: Who are your all-time favorite artists and why? And which emerging artists from the Middle East do you admire and foresee as valuable assets in the coming years?

SD: Cy Twombly holds a special place as my favorite artist. His work is profoundly significant, and I aspire to include it in my collection. Alongside established Middle Eastern women artists like Etel Adnan, Fahrelnissa Zeid, Mona Hatoum, and Shirin Neshat, I’ve recently developed an appreciation for emerging talents such as Melis Buyruk from Turkey.

The Sevil Dolmacı Gallery is undoubtedly making a lasting impression on the Dubai art scene. And as her fascination with Dubai deepens and her ambitions expand across the Middle East and beyond, we eagerly anticipate her continued success and the remarkable new horizons her art will explore in the future.