GATE 27’S CURRENT RESIDENT, ART HISTORIAN DR. TAYLER AVA FRIAR, TRACES JAMES BALDWIN’S FOOTSTEPS IN ISTANBUL
Gate 27 welcomes art historian and writer Dr. Tayler Ava Friar.
In collaboration with Sabancı University’s Center of Excellence in Gender and Women’s Studies (SU Gender), Gate 27 hosted an interdisciplinary platform for intellectual exchange centered on literature, space, and cultural memory through the discussion titled “Elsewhere – A conversation on James Baldwin, art, memory, and Black presence in places we do not expect to find it.”
In 2025, to mark the 100th anniversary of James Baldwin’s birth, Gate 27 hosted two Black writers in its program; it supported research into the author’s decade-long stay and experiences in Istanbul through creative writing practices. In 2026, it is advancing this work into an academic framework by hosting art historian Dr. Tayler Ava Friar by special invitation in its residency program.
GATE 27 DEVELOPS NEW COLLABORATIONS THROUGH ITS STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN 2026
Dr. Tayler Ava Friar is the first resident invited to participate in Gate 27’s Strategic Engagement Program, launched in 2026. The Strategic Engagement Program aims to expand the intersections between academic research and the arts, contribute directly to the historical context, social fabric, and cultural memory of Gate 27’s campuses in Istanbul and Ayvalık, and foster new connections within Gate 27’s institutional network.
TAYLER AVA FRIAR, THE FIRST AMERICAN TO EARN A PH.D. IN ART HISTORY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
As the first resident of the Strategic Engagement Program, Dr. Friar was invited to Gate 27’s Istanbul premises as an extension of the residency program launched by Gate 27 in 2025 to mark the centennial of James Baldwin’s birth, in addition to contributing to Gate 27’s process of joining the Fulbright network. As a Fulbright scholar, Dr. Friar centers her research on oral history and fieldwork, examining the relationships between literature, geography, and cultural memory through a layered perspective. Through her work, which encompasses Mexico and various global contexts, Dr. Friar brings together storytelling, oral history, and curatorial practice to examine the intersections of literature, geography, and memory within a layered framework. As part of her research process in Istanbul, Dr. Friar is conducting archival research on James Baldwin’s decade-long time in Istanbul and documenting the memories of people who met or worked with him. She will present her findings to readers as a special section in the new book she is currently preparing.
GATE 27 AND SU GENDER COLLABORATION CONTINUES
The talk on Saturday, April 25, 2026, focusing on Dr. Friar’s research process in Istanbul, marks the first collaboration of 2026 between Gate 27 and Sabancı University’s Gender and Women’s Studies Center of Excellence (SU GENDER), a partnership that began in 2023.
Titled “Elsewhere – A conversation on James Baldwin, art, memory, and Black presence in places we do not expect to find it,” the talk was moderated by Dr. Kenan Sharpe, a faculty member of the Cultural Studies Program at Sabancı University who also continues his research within SU GENDER. Known for his work on literature, cultural history, and social movements, Dr. Sharpe deepened the discussion within an interdisciplinary framework.
Gate 27 Director Burak Mert Çiloğlugil made the following assessment:
“Through the Strategic Engagement Program, we are opening up space for new collaborations at the intersection of research and art; Dr. Tayler Ava Friar’s work, which brings James Baldwin’s traces in Istanbul to light, is a strong example of this approach. I believe that our inclusion in the Fulbright network and our collaboration with SU GENDER are important steps for Gate 27 to build new networks and lasting relationships.”
ABOUT GATE 27
Founded in 2019 as an international residency program to support research and production processes across different practices and to foster interdisciplinary exchange, Gate 27 approaches art as a method of research. It invites artists, researchers, and academics to its premises in İstanbul and Ayvalık to engage in dialogue around ecology, sustainability, accessibility, and local creative networks. Through public programs and events, it encourages the emerge of new collaborations.
Gate 27 provides its participants with a quiet working environment and studio space where they can transform their ideas into production over a period of four to twelve weeks, while also facilitating access to resources and individuals to deepen their research. Participants become part of an extensive, continuously expanding network of artists and researchers who have previously participated in the program. Gate 27’s Advisory Board consists of independent curators and art advisors. While benefiting from the guidance of experts in their fields, participants also have the opportunity to meet former program residents and expand their professional networks.
Gate 27 on Social media:
Instagram.com/gate.27
Facebook.com/gate.27residency
