11. Uluslararası Turhan Selçuk Karikatür Yarışması / Albümü - 2021

He is a master of modern Turkish cartoon and the creator of the first original Turkish comic strip,
“Abdülcanbaz”. Turhan Selçuk continued 68 years behind in his drawing adventure that started in 1940s.
For many years, he tirelessly reflected our political and social life into his extraordinary drawing, with
awareness and courage.
This period of 68 years places him as one of the most important illustrators of the World and he was
awarded with the “Artist of the Public” prize. The cartoons in this part were chosen from his drawing as
well. The great master looks into his unique world and painful past with the geometry of graphical humor.
and “Hal ve Gidiş” in 1969. “The Adventure of Abdulcanbaz”
was published as 12 albums between 1972-73; 23
albums between 1980-81 and 20 albums between 1999-
2001. In 1969, he ones more return to Yeni İstanbul and
soon after he transferred to Aksam newspaper. He worked
in Devrim newspaper published by Doğan Avcıoğlu. He
started drawing weekly political panaromic illustrations in
Cumhuriyet, in 1972. The theatre play adapted from “Abdülcanbaz”
was played by Dostlar Theatre in 1973; and
by İstanbul, Antalya, Ankara and Adana State Theatres
in 1994, 1999, 2002. Selçuk published his encyclopedic
album “Söz Çizginin” in 1979. He returned back to Milliyet
in 1980. In 2001, he transferred to Cumhuriyet and
continue to draw the “Adventure of Abdülcanbaz” besides
other cartoons. Selçuk celebrated his 50th year of drawings
with and exhibition in 1992. His exhibition called
“İnsan Hakları” (Human Rights) visited the most important
cities of the World. His cartoons about peace and books
was used as a logo in posters and documents of European
Comission’s social activities. In 2005, an anthology of his
original imprints visited many europan countries (Paris,
Munich, Hamburg, Nümberg, Frankfurt, Strasbourg, Rotterdam,
Nicosia...) and reached out to Pretoria in South
Africa. The artist attended the opening of the exhibitions
in person, mostly with his wife Ruhan Selçuk. The humor
culture magazine Güldiken, published a special issue for
Turhan Selçuk, with an english copy of the issue called
“The World of Turhan Selçuk”.
Selçuk build his cartoons on the contradictions, mistakes,
cooperation and aspirations. He aggrendized and
tried to help people find the right path beside his criticism.
Thought lies in the basis of his cartoons; humor comes
after. He tried to be careful about telling a lot with a few
drawings and giving the messages shortly, compactly and
clearly. He uses details as much as needed to strengthen
the effect of the message.
Selçuk won the first prize in the İstanbul Association of
Journalists Contests of Succeess Reward in 1955, 1983,
1986, 1987, 1989, 1990; Golden Palm and Aero Clup Silver
Cup in the international Bordighera Cartoon Contest in
Italy in 1956 and Silver Persimmon in 1962, Ippocampo-
Vato Cartoon Festival in Italy in 1970; The Artist of Public
Prize of the Union of Artist in Turkey in 1971, the Silver Cup
in Vercelli Cartoon Biannale in Italy in 1975; Prize of Honor
in the II. Internetional Cartoon Festivlal of the Cartoon Organization
in 1996; Burhan Felek Media Service Prize of
the İstanbul Association of Journalists in 1998; in the same
year he was chosen the Honored Guest of TÜYAP Book
Fair and the Grand Master of Graphical Humor was published
in the memory of his name.
Sivas Cumhuriyet University and Eskişehir Anadolu University
awarded him with Honorary Science Doctor title in
1992 and 1997 respectively. In 2002, a ceramony named
“60th Year of Art in Drawings – Turhan Selçuk” was held in
Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall and an exhibition was held.
In the same year, There Was Drawing Firstly – The Album
of the 60th Year was published. In 2003, Selçuk was rewerded
with the İstanbul Association of Journalists Contest
of Success Reward and was chosen the “Cartoonist of the
Year” by the ND Cartoon Foundation.
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