A new composition by Dimitris Skyllas for Istanbul

September 12, 2025
A new composition by Dimitris Skyllas for Istanbul

Istanbul Modern’s International Artist Residency Program continues to contribute international artistic dialogue by hosting artists from various disciplines in Istanbul. The latest guest of the program is Dimitris Skyllas, a Greek composer based in London. Skyllas is the first resident artist to be hosted at Istanbul Modern’s new museum building and is participating with the support of the British Council’s Grant Programme for Creative Collaborations.

The residency offers artists from around the world the opportunity to explore Istanbul’s creative culture and reflect it in their work. It supports research-based art practices that engage directly with the city. Working closely with the museum’s curatorial team, artists develop new works inspired by local narratives that intersect with global issues. Throughout the process, the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art—its location, architecture, and collection—serves as a vital source of inspiration. The resulting productions are shared with the public through exhibitions, performances, workshops, talks, and screenings.

As part of Istanbul Modern’s International Artist Residency Program, Skyllas’s new composition will be performed publicly on September 12, 2025.

About Dimitris Skyllas

Born in 1987, Dimitris Skyllas is an innovative composer who began his musical education in Greece and continued in the United Kingdom. Based in London, he has been developing a multidimensional style that weaves together themes such as ritual, lament, religious tradition, and ancient tragedy with contemporary cultural elements.

Skyllas’s works have been performed at renowned institutions including the Barbican Centre, Westminster Abbey, Royal Albert Hall, London Design Festival, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. His life and practice were featured in the 2022 documentary Dimitris Skyllas: Afterpop, funded by the Onassis Foundation. He continues to present new work internationally through collaborations with cultural institutions and festivals.