The opening of the Güneştekin Foundation’s new center in Italy, established at the historic Palazzo Gradenigo in Campo Santa Giustina, Venice, will take place with Silence, an exhibition curated by Sergio Risaliti and sponsored by Yıldız Holding.

Conceived by Ahmet Güneştekin as a site-specific installation for both the interior and exterior spaces of the building, Silence brings together 11 large-scale bronze sculptures and 11 mixed-media works. The exhibition will be held between May 6 and November 1, 2026, on the restored ground and first floor of Palazzo Gradenigo.

Beginning with the Silence exhibition, Palazzo Gradenigo’s artistic journey will evolve into an international center focused on young and disadvantaged cultural producers through exhibitions and interdisciplinary programs. In doing so, it embodies Ahmet Güneştekin’s vision of building lasting bonds between cultures through art and creating an inclusive space of production for future generations.

Murat Ülker: “Silence is a powerful bridge connecting the past and the present.”

Murat Ülker, Member of the Board of Directors of Yıldız Holding, stated during the exhibition preview in Venice that supporting art and initiatives that add value to society’s cultural life is among the company’s responsibilities, in line with Yıldız Holding’s core philosophy of “Make Happy, Be Happy.” He said:

“We believe that happiness grows when shared, and that art, precisely at this point, serves as a unifying and transformative force for both individuals and society. In recent years, Ahmet Güneştekin has become one of our artists who has secured a strong place in the international contemporary art world through his large-scale exhibitions and cultural projects. What stands out in his work is his ability to bring Anatolia’s multilayered cultural memory together with the universal language of contemporary art. As Yıldız Holding, we believe in the value that culture and art bring to societies. We are pleased to support Ahmet Güneştekin’s projects both in Türkiye and internationally. We believe that artists from Türkiye should have greater visibility on international platforms, and we hope such support will continue. I see this initiative in Venice not merely as an exhibition, but also as a cultural bridge — a powerful bridge connecting past and present, the local and the universal, memory and the future.”

Mehmet Tütüncü: “We are pleased to contribute to the international visibility of our art.”

Mehmet Tütüncü, Chair and CEO of Yıldız Holding, which is sponsoring the exhibition, shared the following remarks:

“At Yıldız Holding, our philosophy of ‘Make Happy, Be Happy’ shapes not only the way we do business, but also our holistic perspective in supporting art, culture, and social development. We believe that happiness is one of the most powerful drivers of progress for both individuals and societies. Art’s ability to unite, inspire, stimulate thought, and connect the past with the present strongly aligns with this philosophy.

As Yıldız Holding, we have supported many art projects both in Türkiye and internationally. By exhibiting the works of our artists in our offices located across Türkiye and in cities such as London, New York, and Jeddah, we contribute to the development of culture and the arts across a broad spectrum. In his works, Ahmet Güneştekin masterfully uses the universal language of art to address memory, cultural heritage, and the shared values of humanity. We believe that his new exhibition, Silence, will leave a strong mark on the international art world, and we are pleased to contribute, on this occasion, to the global visibility of our art.”

Palazzo Gradenigo: A Cultural Venue Reborn in Venice

Built in the 16th century for the Gradenigo family and counted among the precious palaces of the Venetian lagoon, Palazzo Gradenigo was acquired by Ahmet Güneştekin in 2024. The restoration of the building is being led by architect Alberto Torsello, who is known for his work on many significant architectural projects.

Opening to the public from May 6, Silence will take place on the restored ground and first floors. Once the overall project is completed by the end of the year, the building — spanning 2,000 square meters across five floors — will become the Venice headquarters of the Güneştekin Foundation and operate as an international platform for production and exchange in contemporary art.

Reviving centuries later the intellectual legacy of its first owner, Pietro Gradenigo, this unique Venetian palace will position itself as an international center focused on young and disadvantaged cultural producers through exhibitions and interdisciplinary programs, while embodying Ahmet Güneştekin’s vision of creating lasting connections between cultures through art and establishing an inclusive space of production for future generations.

Opening to the Public

May 6, 2026

Exhibition Dates

May 6 – November 1, 2026