Istanbul’s fashionable Nişantaşı district is now home to a unique textile art exhibition. Internationally acclaimed British artist Ian Berry, renowned for his intricate artworks crafted entirely from repurposed denim, has unveiled his first-ever Turkish showcase, “Beyond Denim.” Housed in the elegant Kalyon Kültür mansion, the exhibition opened its doors on November 30, 2024, and will run until February 14, 2025.
“Beyond Denim” offers a retrospective journey through Berry’s nearly two-decade career, displaying a selection of his most celebrated pieces alongside new works created specifically for this Istanbul presentation. The exhibition spans multiple rooms within Kalyon Kültür, each dedicated to showcasing distinct periods and projects from Berry’s oeuvre. Visitors can explore works from collections such as “Behind Closed Doors,” “Hotel California,” “Denim Legends,” and “Secret Garden,” witnessing the evolution of his innovative denim art.
Among the featured pieces are collaborations with AGI Denim, including a detailed garden scene complete with a trellis, koi pond, and water lilies, as well as a striking depiction of a traditional Turkish ceramic tile wall adorned with flowers. AGI Denim has been a long-time partner with Ian Berry, providing the denim for his art. A brand-new highlight of the exhibition is a series illustrating the Chinese Zodiac signs, a timely piece as the world approaches the Year of the Snake.
Berry himself inaugurated the exhibition with a speech reflecting on his artistic journey and the self-taught techniques he developed to master denim as a medium. He spoke of the initial challenges of pioneering this unique art form, emphasizing the lack of existing resources and the years of experimentation required to perfect his craft. He also introduced the exhibition’s curator, Asli Bora, to the assembled VIP guests. The opening has been met with positive responses from the public, the art community, and figures within the denim industry.
