Semih Balcıoğlu

Cartoonist, Writer

Death
27 October, 2006
Education
State Academy of Fine Arts Department of Graphic

Caricaturist (b. 1928, İstanbul). He attended the Işık High School and graduated from the State Academy of Fine Arts, Department of Graphic (1952). His first caricature was published in the famous humor review Akbaba (1943). He worked in many reviews and newspapers including Akbaba, Karikatür, Taş, Akşam, Vatan, Dünya, Tercüman and Hürriyet.

Balcıoğlu was listed as one of the best 106 caricaturists of the world at a voting in Gobravo Humor House. His caricatures have been exhibited in Caricature Museums of Italy, Gabrovo in Bulgaria, Basel in Switzerland and Warsaw in Poland. Some of his works of art were exhibited in Wilhelm-Busch Caricature Museum in Germany.

He is the first caricaturist in Turkey who drew three dimensional caricatures. His caricatures made in ceramic were also exhibited in İstanbul and Ankara for three years (1964, 1965, 1966). Including his seven personal exhibitions in abroad (Skopje-1972, Paris-1975, New Castle-1978, Frankfurt-1981, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra-994), he has held 76 personal exhibitions so far.  

Balcıoğlu’s 20 caricature books were published and his book titled Güle Güle İstanbul (Bye Bye İstanbul) ranked first at a competition of caricature books in Pescara, Italy. Balcıoğlu has collected a total of 41 awards at home and abroad such as Silver Dove (Skopje), Golden Medal (Pescara), Golden Palm and Silver Date (Bordigher), İş Bank Grand Award, Abdi İpekçi Peace and Fraternity Award, Fairs and Exhibitions Organization Incorporation's Gratitude Award and the Caricature Foundation Honorary Award.

He established Caricaturists Association in 1969 together with his two friends and chaired it for seven terms. He became the Honorary Chairman of the foundation in 1996. Moreover, Balcıoğlu undertook the duty of chairmanship of Turkey Journalists Association between 1973 and 1979.

WORKS:

Cumhuriyet'in 75. Yılında Türk Karikatürü (Turkish Caricature on the 75th Anniversary of the Republic, 1998), Çizgiyle 2002 Günlüğü (Diary of 2002 in Lines, 2003).

 

A drawing by S. Balcıoğlu

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