Gizem Ataman
London
Summary
As an emerging art professional with experience in international art markets—including Istanbul, Miami, and London—I am passionate about engaging with artists and clients from diverse backgrounds. I have supported a range of roles across gallery operations, events, archiving, curating, and digital engagement, developing a well-rounded foundation in administration, sales support, client relations, and exhibition planning. My academic background, with a focus on Latin American Art at the University of Miami and Black Art at The Courtauld Institute of Art, has broadened my global outlook and deepened my interest in inclusive, cross-cultural dialogue within the arts.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Gallery Assistant
Pi Artworks
London
12.2025 - Current
- Developing and executing an outreach communication strategy targeting media outlets, collectors, and institutions for upcoming gallery fairs.
- Maintaining client and artwork data in Artlogic, ensuring efficient sales tracking and communication.
- Developing and updating sales materials, providing logistical support, and assisting in the execution of gallery exhibitions.
Gallery Intern
Zeit Contemporary Art
New York
09.2022 - 08.2023
- Supported the gallery's participation at the Art Miami Fair 2022, resulting in over $100,000 in sales via interactions with collectors and personalised suggestions.
- Actively communicated with customers about artwork loans, sales enquiries, and the creation of post-sale documents, such as shipping logistics, insurance assessments, and customs clearance.
- Conducted novel academic research on two works by Sam Gilliam, Untitled (It's Yellow), 1973 and Untitled (Top Bunk), 1975, to inform exhibition curation and private sale presentations, uncovering a lesser-known collaboration period in the artist's career.
Research Intern
The Knight Foundation
Miami
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Developed a comprehensive digital maturity model for arts and culture organizations, focusing on accessibility and inclusivity, to assess digital transformation capabilities and guide future grantmaking and post-grantmaking processes.
Gallery Attendant
Bakehouse Art Complex
Miami
02.2022 - 04.2022
- As the sole attendant, managed the maintenance and overall appearance of the gallery, front desk, and viewing rooms for the pop-up exhibition 'Parrots in the Kiln', featuring eight works addressing environmental issues.
- Led informative tours, engaging visitors with detailed insights about the artworks, and coordinated communications between buyers and artists.
- Conducted research on artists and their works, assisted in the writing of press releases and exhibition texts, and digitized works by Morel Doucet and Lauren Schapiro for online viewing rooms.
Visual Curatorial Intern
Astrea Media Inc.
New York
05.2021 - 12.2021
- Wrote weekly articles on women in the arts and the intersection of art and cinema, improving engagement and increasing exposure for underrepresented voices in the creative sectors.
- Managed and updated the website's events calendar on a monthly basis, promoting niche and under-marketed art events, increasing traffic and strengthening the site's position as an artist's community centre.
Exhibitor Relations Intern
Contemporary Istanbul
Istanbul
09.2020 - 12.2020
- Coordinated with over 30 global galleries, managing booth placements, catalog production, and gallery inquiries for The Contemporary Istanbul and The Step Istanbul Art Fairs.
- Collaborated with a graphic designer to create a 3D virtual layout of the fair and a 40-page online fair catalog.
- Supervised 30 volunteers during the event and served as the main on-site support for participating galleries, addressing logistical needs, and ensuring smooth operations.
Conservation Intern
Sakıp Sabancı Museum
Istanbul
09.2020 - 12.2020
- Digitized the museum's significant Abidin Dino collection, which includes over 500 artworks and 150 papers, updating catalog entries in the museum's database to ensure accuracy and relevance for both internal and external researchers.
- Assisted in historical research and writing exhibition labels in collaboration with the conservation and curatorial teams to develop the 'Görünenin Ötesinde: Osman Hamdi Bey' exhibition.
Student Curator
Lowe Art Museum
Miami
01.2020 - 05.2020
- Conducted research for, curated, and co-authored catalogue of virtual group exhibit titled 11 Intervisual Cubans, featuring 38 works by 11 Cuban artists.
- Served as a student 'Cane Ambassador for the Lowe Museum, overseeing communication between the museum and the student body, conducting public outreach, and publicizing events.
Gallery Assistant
Ali Kabas Photography
Istanbul
06.2019 - 08.2019
- Served as a crucial link between the artist and galleries in Turkey and the United States, handling communication and coordination to assist the representation and marketing of the artist's work in both local and international markets.
Education
M.A - History of Art: Black Futures: Reimagining Modernism after Critical Race
The Courtauld Institute of Art
London, UK08.2024
B.A. - Art History and Psychology
University of Miami
Miami, FL12.2021
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe Suite
- Artlogic
- RStudio
- Organisation
- Client-facing communication
- Database and inventory management
- Project coordination
- Adaptability in fast-paced environments
- Attention to detail
- Research
- Catalogue writing
Volunteer Experience
Artist Collaborations and Exhibitions Assistant, Quest of Sages, Los Angeles, CA, 10/01/22, 09/30/23, Supported the founding team of a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Indigenous art and culture on a global scale, Coordinated between artists and organizations for a virtual exhibition featuring over 25 artists
Affiliations
- Professional volleyball, aikido, kickboxing, snowboarding, film photography, jazz, painting,
Languages
Turkish
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
French
Advanced (C1)
C1
Timeline
Gallery Assistant
Pi Artworks
12.2025 - Current
Gallery Intern
Zeit Contemporary Art
09.2022 - 08.2023
Research Intern
The Knight Foundation
06.2022 - 08.2022
Gallery Attendant
Bakehouse Art Complex
02.2022 - 04.2022
Visual Curatorial Intern
Astrea Media Inc.
05.2021 - 12.2021
Exhibitor Relations Intern
Contemporary Istanbul
09.2020 - 12.2020
Conservation Intern
Sakıp Sabancı Museum
09.2020 - 12.2020
Student Curator
Lowe Art Museum
01.2020 - 05.2020
Gallery Assistant
Ali Kabas Photography
06.2019 - 08.2019
M.A - History of Art: Black Futures: Reimagining Modernism after Critical Race
The Courtauld Institute of Art
B.A. - Art History and Psychology
University of Miami
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