THE PILL® Gallery Expands to Paris with Apolonia Sokol’s Inaugural Exhibition

THE PILL®, a global contemporary art gallery with deep roots in Istanbul’s dynamic art scene, announces its expansion into Paris with the opening of a new gallery at 4 Place de Valois. This new location, adjacent to some of Paris’ most iconic cultural institutions, including the Louvre Museum, Fondation Pinault, and the Ministry of Culture, marks an important chapter in THE PILL®’s journey of growth and influence.

Inaugural Exhibition by Apolonia Sokol

To celebrate this Parisian debut, THE PILL® will launch its gallery with a highly anticipated solo exhibition by Apolonia Sokol on October 15, 2024. This exhibition is Sokol’s first monographic show in France, offering an immersive experience into her profound exploration of identity, gender, and representation through portraiture and autofiction. Known for her evocative portraits that draw from both canonical art history and contemporary feminist discourse, Sokol’s work challenges and reimagines traditional narratives surrounding identity.

The decision to open with Sokol’s work speaks to the gallery’s commitment to showcasing bold, socially relevant art. Sokol, a figurative painter of Polish and Danish heritage, has exhibited her works internationally, engaging audiences in institutions ranging from the Arken Museum in Denmark to the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Texas. Her explorations of personal and collective identity have garnered her acclaim, while the HBO documentary Apolonia, Apolonia, which captures her life and career over a decade, has earned multiple awards at global film festivals. This exhibition will allow French audiences to experience her unique, interdisciplinary approach to the questions of gender, identity, and the influence of history on contemporary art.

Simultaneous Presence at Art Basel Paris

Coinciding with its Paris gallery opening, THE PILL® will also participate in Art Basel Paris, featuring the work of pioneering feminist artist Nil Yalter in the new Premise sector, which highlights historical practices. Yalter, the recipient of the prestigious Venice Biennale Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award, is a Turkish-born French artist whose work has long addressed social justice, particularly in relation to marginalized groups such as migrant workers, women in labor, and individuals impacted by systemic inequality.

One of the highlights of THE PILL®’s participation in Art Basel Paris will be The Ambassadress, a pivotal work by Yalter. The piece underscores her deep engagement with feminism, identity politics, and the intersection of privilege and power. Additionally, Yalter will headline the Art Basel Conversations series with a keynote address on October 17, 2024. This talk promises to be an insightful reflection on the role of art in addressing the most pressing societal issues of our time, especially as they relate to equity and representation.

Yalter’s participation at Art Basel and her contributions to contemporary art, which span decades and mediums—including photography, video, drawing, and text—demonstrate THE PILL®’s ongoing dedication to presenting artists whose work challenges existing power structures and advocates for social progress.

THE PILL®’s Paris Chapter: Expanding a Global Vision

Founded in 2016 by Suela J. Cennet, THE PILL® originated in the historic peninsula of Istanbul with a mission to foster contemporary art through a global lens. The gallery has swiftly gained recognition for its thought-provoking exhibitions and has played an instrumental role in showcasing emerging and internationally renowned artists alike. THE PILL® continues to operate as a dynamic platform that encourages cultural exchange, moving beyond conventional center-periphery art world dynamics.

The opening of its Paris gallery solidifies THE PILL®’s presence on the international stage, offering artists an expansive 300-square-meter space in the heart of Paris’ cultural and historical core. With this new venue, THE PILL® aims to introduce its visionary programming to Parisian audiences while maintaining its focus on cultivating a global dialogue around contemporary art.

In addition to presenting exhibitions in Paris, THE PILL® remains deeply committed to its ongoing projects. In 2022, the gallery partnered with JBE Books to launch New Art Scales, revisiting its first years of programming and setting the stage for an ambitious publishing line. This publishing initiative will continue to expand alongside THE PILL®’s curatorial projects, contributing to the documentation and dissemination of contemporary art’s most challenging and innovative voices.

THE PILL®’s Parisian expansion is more than a strategic move—it represents the gallery’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural artistic exchanges in a world where global perspectives on identity, politics, and representation are increasingly crucial. By showcasing both emerging voices like Apolonia Sokol and veteran artists like Nil Yalter, THE PILL® demonstrates its belief in the power of contemporary art to confront societal issues, challenge conventions, and inspire change across generations.