BURCU YUKSEL
Burcu Yuksel is a Turkish-born, London-based art consultant and writer focusing on old masters and contemporary art. She is an International Director of Dirimart, Istanbul; consultant to Old Masters gallery Derek Johns, and part of Block Universe’s team, London’s first performance art festival.
Burcu is involved with various arts organizations. She is on the Committees of Young Patrons of the Royal Academy and Future Unit of Parasol Unit. Burcu is a patron of SAHA, Istanbul and a founding partner of Outset Young Patrons Circle.
From September 2017, Burcu will have a section in Art Unlimited, interviewing people from the art world.
If there was one piece of art you could feature in, which would it be and why?
I think it would be School of Athens by Raphael in the Vatican. I love how this work celebrates studies in humanities and science in the world. It is also interestingly placed in a religious setting.
What are your favourite emerging cultural cities and / or organisations in the world and why?
At the moment my favorites are Sao Paulo and Los Angeles. For the past few years LA has been developing into a major and relevant center for the arts and culture, with contemporary galleries and museums opening throughout the city. Artists are moving here too, for larger spaces and good weather!
I really enjoyed my visit to SP last year, with new galleries putting on edgy, ambitious exhibitions and the city offering an inspirational and affordable working place for young artists. I read somewhere that there are more contemporary artists here than in most European capitals.
Who do you think are the cultural innovators of tomorrow and why?
The new generation who are growing up in the age of technology, with mobile devices and connectivity to the rest of the world. I can’t wait to discover what cultural contributions they will make in the future.
What are you up to at the moment and where can we find it? (Please include a link(s) if possible).
From September 2017, I will have a dedicated section in the arts publication, Art Unlimited, doing interviews with people in the art world. The 3rd edition of Block Universe is coming up too (29 May – 4 June), full programme will be announced beginning of April. There is also my website, www.artkurio.com .