Süleyman Saim Tekcan, pioneer of original printmaking, has passed away

Süleyman Saim Tekcan, a prominent painter, academic, and significant figure in the Turkish art world, passed away on October 18, 2026, at the age of 86. The news of the artist's passing was shared with the public by his family.

Born on October 6, 1940, in Trabzon, Tekcan graduated from the Painting Department of the Ankara Gazi Education Institute in 1961. Throughout his career, he worked to popularize original printmaking in Turkey and led the establishment of lithography, serigraphy, and engraving workshops at the Istanbul Atatürk Education Institute between 1968 and 1975. Tekcan, who also developed a unique printing method named after himself, left a significant legacy to the art world by founding the Istanbul Museum of Graphic Arts (IMOGA) in 2004.

Having served in dean and founding roles at Mimar Sinan, Yeditepe, and Işık universities in the academic field, the artist was deemed worthy of the Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Award in 2022. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued a message of condolence following Tekcan's passing. The artist's funeral is planned to be held on October 19, 2026, following the afternoon prayer at the Marmara University Faculty of Theology Mosque, with burial to take place at the Mahmut Şevket Paşa Family Cemetery.