Oğuz Gürel- Turkey

 

Oğuz Gürel is an internationally acclaimed editorial cartoonist and art educator from Turkey. His career seamlessly bridges traditional print media with pioneering digital cartoon education.

 

Oğuz Gürel is an internationally acclaimed editorial cartoonist and art educator from Turkey. His career seamlessly bridges traditional print media with pioneering digital cartoon education.

Oğuz Gürel — Editorial Cartoonist & Educator

Born in İzmit in 1968, Oğuz Gürel completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown before pursuing a degree in Fine Arts at Marmara University, graduating from the Department of Textile Fine Arts. His passion for cartooning ignited during his elementary school years, evolving from a lifelong dedication into a distinguished professional career.



Editorial Career & Media Contributions

Gürel initially published his artwork in local newspapers and specialized humor magazines before transitioning to major national daily newspapers in Turkey. Over the decades, he has worked as a cartoonist for prominent print and media outlets. His illustrations and editorial cartoons have featured in iconic publications such as:
• Güneş, Tercüman, Cumhuriyet, Türkiye, Günaydın, Milliyet, Hürses, and Global Newspaper.
• Renowned satirical and art magazines, including Gırgır, Hıbır, Çarşaf, Fırt, Avni, Limon, Varlık, Nokta, Gösteri Sanat, Milliyet Sanat, Witty World, and Donkişot.
On the global stage, his editorial cartoons are regularly featured on Cagle Cartoons (www.cagle.com), one of the world's most prestigious syndicates for professional political cartooning.



Digital Education & Academic Work

A pioneer in art education, Gürel founded www.karikaturokulu.com, Turkey’s very first virtual cartoon school. Through this platform, he provides virtual training and mentorship to young, talented amateur cartoonists while giving them a digital space to showcase and publish their artwork. Despite its recent launch, the academy has fostered a thriving community of nearly 1,000 members.
In tandem with his digital institute, Gürel has taught formal cartooning masterclasses at prestigious academic institutions, including Özel Bahçeşehir College, Florya MEV Schools, Fevziye Schools Foundation (FMV), Uğur College, İSTEK Schools, and Okyanus Colleges.



Publications, Exhibitions & Institutional Leadership

Gürel is the author of the published cartoon album Çizgili Günler (Striped Days), released as part of the Nasreddin Hoca’s Grandchildren series. To date, he has held 19 solo exhibitions showcasing his thematic artworks.
In 1997, he served as the President of the Association of Turkish Cartoonists. He maintains active professional profiles and memberships in prominent national and international art 
syndicates, including:
• The Association of Turkish Cartoonists.
• The International Association of Art (IAA/AIAP - UNESCO).
• Witty World (Cartoonist Club / USA).
• The Cartoonist and Writers Club (USA).


 

 

Key National & International Awards

Oğuz Gürel has won over 100 awards from prestigious cartoon contests and journalism syndicates worldwide, notably including:
• The Journalism Award of the Year in Cartooning (2015) – Conferred by Hürriyet Newspaper and the Turkish Journalists Association (TGC).
• Cartoonist of the Year (2013) – Awarded by the Rotary Club.
• Abdi İpekçi Peace and Friendship Prize (2nd Place, Milliyet).
• 4th Courage Taiwan World Cartoon Contest (2nd Place).
• 2nd Paraguaçu Humor Salon, Brazil (2nd Place, 2006).
• 5th HumoDEVA International Cartoon Contest, Romania (Special Prize, 2006).
• Molla Nasreddin Cartoon Contest, Azerbaijan (Honorable Mention, 2003).
• 11th Mercosur Diogenes Taborda Humor Salon, Argentina (1st Mention).
• International Festival of Romania (Nominee Prize) & Tabriz International Cartoon Contest, Iran (Success Award).
• Major institutional accolades in Turkey, including first prizes and success awards from the Turkish Publishers Association, Ankara Çankaya Municipality, Antalya Akdeniz University, the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE), and the Nehar Tüblek Cartoon Competitions (2003, 2004).

 

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