Süleyman Saim Tekcan, the pioneer name of original printing art, passed away.

Süleyman Saim Tekcan, one of the important names of Turkish art, passed away at the age of 86. The artist's family announced his death with a statement on his social media account. In the family statement, it was stated that Tekcan devoted his life to art, education and the transfer of cultural heritage to future generations, and that he left a permanent legacy with his works and the artists he trained. It has been reported that the funeral program has not been determined yet.

HE PIONEED THE ART OF ORIGINAL PRINTING

Born in Trabzon on October 6, 1940, Tekcan graduated from Ankara Gazi Education Institute, Department of Painting and Crafts in 1961. The artist, who continued his art education together with production during his teaching and academic years, worked at the Istanbul Atatürk Education Institute between 1968 and 1975. During this period, he pioneered the establishment of lithography, screen printing and engraving workshops.

Tekcan, who conducted research on original printing in Germany in 1970-1971, contributed to the development of printmaking in Turkey with both his artistic production and his identity as an educator. The artist, who started working at Mimar Sinan University Faculty of Fine Arts in 1975, became a professor in 1985 and took on important responsibilities in the Graphics Department.

HE CREATED AN ORIGINAL LANGUAGE WITH HORSE FIGURES

Horse figures had an important place in Tekcan's art, nourished by traditional Turkish art and cultural memory. The artist, who reinterpreted horse figures with traces of calligraphy with original printing techniques, brought together traditional forms with a contemporary expression. He contributed to the spread of original printing in Turkey with his works in the fields of engraving, screen printing and lithography.

The printing method, which was developed by the artist as a result of his technical research over many years and named after him, was among the distinguishing features of his art practice.

HE LEAVED A LASTING LEGACY WITH IMOGA

One of Süleyman Saim Tekcan's important initiatives in his artistic life was the establishment of the Istanbul Museum of Graphic Arts (IMOGA) in 2004. The museum, which is an important center for the production, archiving and exhibition of original prints, also played an important role in the development of graphic arts in Turkey.

Tekcan served as dean of Mimar Sinan University Faculty of Fine Arts in 1994-1995. In 1996, he served as the founding dean of Yeditepe University Faculty of Fine Arts; In 2007, he took part in the establishment of Işık University Faculty of Fine Arts.

The artist was deemed worthy of the Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Prize in the field of painting in 2022.

In addition to his identity as an artist, Süleyman Saim Tekcan left an important mark on Turkey's artistic life as an educator and institution founder.