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Süleyman Saim Tekcan, a painter, actor and printmaking artist who received the Presidency's Grand Award for Culture and Arts in 2022, has died at the age of 86. His family announced the death through Tekcan's social media accounts.

A funeral prayer will be held tomorrow after the afternoon prayer at Marmara University's Faculty of Theology mosque, after which Tekcan will be buried at the Mahmut Şevket Paşa Family Cemetery.

Family announces the death

In a message posted on Tekcan's social media accounts, the family said: "We share, with deep sorrow, the passing of our beloved father, a great master of Turkish art, Süleyman Saim Tekcan." The statement said Tekcan devoted his life to art, education and the transmission of cultural heritage to future generations, and left behind an indelible legacy through his works, the artists he trained and the lasting values he added to Turkish art history.

"People who always put human values before temporary values in this world continue to live after the bodies that returned to the soil they came from," the statement read. "They keep illuminating their surroundings through the works they leave behind, the people they train and the lives they touch." The family said it was bidding farewell to the great master with love and respect and prayed for God's mercy.

A pioneer of Turkish original printmaking

Born in Trabzon on October 6, 1940, Tekcan was known as one of the leading figures of Turkish original printmaking, as well as an educator and the founder of an institution. He graduated from the Painting and Crafts Department of Ankara's Gazi Education Institute in 1961.

Tekcan developed his art education through research on printmaking in Germany. By combining his painting and engraving work with his academic background, he made important contributions to the development of original printmaking in Turkey. His work as an actor in cinema is also part of his artistic career.

Founding of the Istanbul Museum of Graphic Arts

One of the most lasting initiatives of Tekcan's career was the founding of the Istanbul Museum of Graphic Arts (IMOGA) in 2004. The museum brought together the production, archiving and display opportunities for original printmaking and carried on, at an institutional level, the workshop tradition the artist had built up over the years.

Tekcan was awarded the Presidency's Grand Award for Culture and Arts in 2022, in recognition of a body of work spanning painting, printmaking and education.

Condolences from the Culture and Tourism Ministry

The Culture and Tourism Ministry issued a message of condolence on its social media accounts. "We have learned with deep sorrow of the passing of the master of Turkish painting and original printmaking, Prof. Dr. Süleyman Saim Tekcan, holder of the Presidency's Grand Award for Culture and Arts," the message said.

The ministry said Tekcan added lasting value to the country's cultural and artistic life through his works, the artists he trained and the Istanbul Museum of Graphic Arts that he founded, and commemorated him with respect and mercy. The ministry offered condolences to his family, loved ones, students and the art community and prayed for mercy for the deceased.

Key takeaways

• Painter, actor and printmaking artist Süleyman Saim Tekcan has died at the age of 86.
• He received the Presidency's Grand Award for Culture and Arts in 2022.
• He founded the Istanbul Museum of Graphic Arts (IMOGA) in 2004.
• The funeral prayer will be held tomorrow after the afternoon prayer at Marmara University's Faculty of Theology mosque.