A COMPETITION THAT CARRIES THE LIGHT OF ART INTO THE FUTURE

• Organized for the first time this year by Fatih Şimşek, founder of Kâse Seramik, and Prof. Efe Türkel, a faculty member at Dokuz Eylül University, the International Işık Ceramics Competition was shaped around the theme of "family". The competition was created to pass on the artistic legacy of this concept to future generations and to increase interest in ceramic art.

Distinguished by its contributions to art and art education, the Işık Ceramics Competition provides young artists with a platform to gain experience in artistic production processes, contribute to the development of contemporary ceramic understanding, and acquire a critical perspective.

The jury consisted of ceramic artist Mehmet Tüzüm Kızılcan, Head of the Ceramics and Glass Design Department at Dokuz Eylül University Prof. Halil Yoleri, Head of the Ceramics Department at Anadolu University Faculty of Fine Arts Prof. Duygu Kahraman, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Prof. Burcu Öztürk Karabey, Faculty Member of the Ceramics Department at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Prof. Hasan Başkırkan, Faculty Member of the Ceramics and Glass Department at Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University Prof. Elif Aydoğdu Ağatekin, ceramic artist Arina Ailincai (Romania), ceramic artist David Jones (England), ceramic artist Kyung Hun Kang (South Korea) and ceramic artist Natalia Eristavi (Georgia).

The jury evaluation of the competition took place on April 22, 2025, at the Pakistan Pavilion in İzmir Kültürpark. A total of 87 works from 16 cities in Türkiye and 4 different countries were submitted to the competition, and 7 works were deemed worthy of awards from among the 45 works that passed the preliminary evaluation.

Alper Tuncer, a graduate of Anadolu University Fine Arts Institute, received the Fatma Önder Ünsal Special Award; Mustafa Kafesoğulları, a graduate of Ege University Ceramics, Glass and Tilemaking, received the Yıldırım Türkel Special Award; Filiz Yıldırımkaraman, a PhD graduate of Ege University Faculty of Science Textile Engineering, received the Erhan Işık Special Award; Ayşe Üstübi, a student of Ceramics and Glass at Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University Graduate Education Institute, received the Aysel Abdullah Duran Special Award; Ferit Cihat Sertkaya, a Proficiency in Art student at Hacettepe University Faculty of Fine Arts and a Research Assistant at Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University Faculty of Fine Arts Ceramics and Glass Department, received the Yıldız Şima Special Award; Nurgin Çetin, a graduate of Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University Fine Arts Institute, received the Ateş Arcasoy Special Award; and Craciun Ileana, a graduate of Institutul De Arte Plastice Lon Andreescu Cluj (Romania), received the Dede Şimşek Special Award.

The exhibition, which opened on April 23, 2025, at the Pakistan Pavilion in İzmir Kültürpark, was curated by Prof. Efe Türkel, a faculty member of the Department of Ceramic and Glass Design at Dokuz Eylül University.

The 2nd International Işık Ceramic Competition, to be held on April 23, 2026, focuses on the theme of "children," aiming to encourage reflection on "those we fail to protect" at both individual and societal levels.