A Lifetime Dedicated to Cartoon Art and Humor

It is with deep sorrow that I learned of the passing of Erdoğan Başol, one of the distinguished veterans of Turkish cartoon art.

Born in Istanbul in 1936, Erdoğan Başol dedicated more than seven decades of his life to cartooning and graphic humor. He began his artistic career in 1952 when his first cartoons were published in the local magazines Karakedi and Hafta. Over the years, his works appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines, earning him a respected place among the leading figures of Turkish cartoon art.

Throughout his long and productive career, his cartoons and comic strips were published in well-known newspapers including Akşam, Güneş, Cumhuriyet, Barometre, and Global. In 1975, he founded United Cartoonists, contributing significantly to the development and promotion of cartoon art in Türkiye. He also served as Chairman of the Association of Turkish Cartoonists in 1995.

His works were exhibited around the world and received numerous national and international awards, including an award from the Prime Ministry of Türkiye. Through his art, he brought people together with humor, insight, and humanity, leaving a lasting impression on generations of artists and readers.

Beyond his artistic achievements, Erdoğan Başol will be remembered as a respected colleague, a dedicated supporter of cartoon art, and a valued member of the international cartoon community. His legacy will continue to inspire cartoonists for years to come.

On behalf of myself and many friends in the Iranian cartoon community, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and to the entire artistic community of Türkiye.

May his memory live on through his art and the countless lives he touched.

Masoud Shojaei Tabatabai
Cartoonist & director of Irancartoon website & magazine