The Heart of Art Will Beat at Istinye University

The Heart of Art Will Beat at Istinye University

Istinye University, in collaboration with Selçuk Ecza Deposu, Bozlu Art Project, and the Istanbul Ex-libris Association, proudly hosted the 6th International Ex-libris Competition, which received overwhelming interest from artists across the globe. A total of 540 artists from 34 countries submitted 1,340 works to the competition—an impressive participation that highlights the event’s growing significance in the field of ex-libris art.

The involvement of Istinye University students made the competition even more meaningful for the institution, showcasing the university's dedication to fostering artistic engagement among its community. The widespread participation also demonstrated the competition's role in filling a major gap in ex-libris artistry on an international scale.

Award-Winning Artists and Jury Evaluation

The jury awarded prizes to 14 artists, honorable mentions to another 14, certificates of recognition to 28, and selected works from 214 artists for exhibition. Evaluation criteria included originality, technical and aesthetic proficiency, and the visual-textual relationship in each ex-libris.

Countries with the highest participation included Turkey, Russia, Poland, China, Bulgaria, Italy, Argentina, among others.

• Istinye University First Prize: Awarded unanimously to master artist Mikhail Verkholantsev (Russia), recognized for his unique style and originality.
• Selçuk Ecza Deposu Second Prize: Given to Onnik Karanfilian (Bulgaria) for his strongly drawn engraved ex-libris.
• Bozlu Art Project Third Prize: Awarded to Marin Gruev (Bulgaria) for his intricately detailed works.
• Istanbul Ex-libris Association Young Artist Prize: Presented to promising printmaker Emre İnan (Turkey).

Special Awards:

• Medical Park – Igor Baranov (France)
• AveA Health – Ivo Mosele (Italy)
• Liv Hospital – Christine Deboosere (Belgium)
• Glana Cosmetics – Valerio Mezzetti (Italy)
• Tülay-Şükrü Ertürk – Wang Yu (China)
• Ayşe-Noyan Ünal – Martin R. Baeyens (Belgium)
• Ayfer-Zeki Tutkan – Gennady Vial (Belarus)
• Özden Pektaş Turgut – Elzbieta Radzikowska (Poland)
• Gülcan-Salih Apaydın – Yulia Protsyshyn (Ukraine)
• Hatice-Hasip Pektaş – Julieta Virginia Warman (Argentina)

Exhibition and Award Ceremony

The award ceremony and exhibition opening will take place during the 2nd International Ex-libris Congress, scheduled for August 20–24, 2025, at Istinye University’s Vadi H Campus Conference Hall and Foyer Area.

This exhibition aims to ignite passion in the ex-libris community, inspire younger generations, and promote the art form on a global scale.

Thanks to the invaluable support of art-loving individuals and institutions, and the heartfelt contributions of artists, the heart of art—and of ex-libris—will continue to beat at Istinye University.