10.00-18.00 SUPPORT

+44 7572 450711

Menu
CLASSICS TURKISH PAINTERS

Ruzin Gerçin

  • Posted by author-avatar
  • On 21 March 2026

Who was Ruzin Gerçin? (1929 – 2011)

Ruzin Gerçin, known in Turkish painting for her mastery of watercolor technique and nature-themed works, was a versatile artist producing work in painting, ceramics, and graphic arts. She played an active role in the Turkish art scene during the second half of the 20th century, representing Turkey with awards won in international competitions. Particularly noteworthy for winning two Grand Prix awards in international competitions, Gerçin holds an important place in Turkish art.

Her Life and Education:
Ruzin Gerçin was born in Istanbul in 1929. After completing her primary education at Çengelköy Primary School, she continued her education at Kandilli Girls’ High School. After high school, wanting to pursue a career in art, Gerçin entered the Department of Interior Architecture at the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts. During his studies at the academy, he worked with many important artists:
• Gallery work with Edip Hakkı Köseoğlu
• “Cour de Soir” works with Şefik Bursalı
• Ceramic applications with Vedat Ar, İsmail Hakkı Oygar, and Sadi Diren
He also worked at the İzmir International Fair during the same period.
In 1950, he completed his five-year education at the academy and graduated. After graduation, he worked for a while on poster design, graphic painting, and ceramics.

The Beginning of His Artistic Life;
In 1953 and 1954, he participated in the “Developing Turkey” exhibition, which he prepared and realized together with his ceramics teacher Vedat Ar. This exhibition was displayed in six cities in Southern Europe, North Africa, and the East Coast of America under the supervision of Ruzin Gerçin.
In 1954, he opened his first art studio in Santral Han in Beyoğlu and began his active artistic life. During these years, he participated in various competitions and achieved significant awards. Some of his early successes include:
• Fourth prize in the Pension Fund poster competition
• Third prize in the Turkish Ministry of Tourism Turkey poster competition
Later, he took on the role of art consultant for the Turkish Foundations Bank and worked as a painting teacher for a while.

Corporate Roles and Art Management;
Starting in 1957, she began exhibiting her paintings and ceramics together.
In 1958, she was appointed as an art consultant to the Istanbul Municipality. Within this role, she participated in many projects including:
• decoration projects
• panel and mosaic applications
• festival organizations
• Istanbul exhibition commissioner

Between 1958 and 1978, she managed the Beyoğlu and Taksim Art Galleries. Thus, she not only produced art but also contributed to the development of the art scene in Turkey.

Participation in State and Competition Exhibitions;
Ruzin Gerçin participated in many important national exhibitions throughout her artistic career. State Painting and Sculpture Exhibitions
The artist participated in this important exhibition eleven times:
1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1987
DYO Painting Competition Exhibitions
He participated a total of nine times:
1975, 1976, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1990

Collections in which his works are located;
Ruzin Gerçin's works are included in many museums and official collections.
International Museums
• Cape Town City Museum
• Hamburg Rolf Italiaander Museum
• Austria Innsbruck Bregenz Museum
• Austria Innsbruck Tiroler Landes Museum
Museums in Turkey
• Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture
• Ankara Museum of Painting and Sculpture
• Izmir Museum of Painting and Sculpture
• Bolu Fine Arts Gallery
• Çorum Fine Arts Gallery
Official and Institutional Collections
• Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism
• Türkiye İş Bankası
• Ziraat Bankası
• Garanti Bankası
• Akbank
• Sümerbank
• Prime Ministry Collection
In addition, the artist's paintings and ceramic works are in many private collections. One of his important public works is the ceiling reliefs of the Haşim İşcan Underpass.

International Personal Awards;
Ruzin Gerçin has won two Grand Prix awards for Turkey in international art competitions. Major awards:
• 1974 – Mexican State Gold Medal by Mexican Ambassador Alfonso Castro Valle
• 1978 – UFACSI International Contemporary Painting Exhibition, Vichy Biennial (France) – Personal Grand Prix
• 1979 – UFACSI International Exhibition, Charleroi (Belgium) – Personal Grand Prix
• 1986 – International Raffaello Competition Exhibition, Milan – fourth prize
In addition, the artist's works represented Turkey in UNICEF art albums in 1979, 1992, 1993 and 2001.

International Group Awards;
As part of a Turkish artist group, she has won numerous international awards:
• 1974 Vichy Biennial – Grand Prize of the Turkish Group
• 1974 Clermont-Ferrand Biennial – Grand Prize of the Turkish Group
• 1976 Clermont-Ferrand Biennial – Special Jury Prize
• 1978 Vichy Biennial – Grand Prize of the Turkish Group
• 1979 Charleroi – Grand Prize of the Turkish Group
• 1981 Clermont-Ferrand – City Prize

Domestic Awards;
Ruzin Gerçin has won nineteen awards and certificates of honor in art competitions in Turkey. Some of her notable awards include:
• 1954 Security Fund Poster Competition – fourth place
• 1956 Ministry of Tourism Turkey Poster Competition – third place
• 1959 Istanbul Municipality art competitions – mosaic panel first place
• 1964 Pension Fund Tarabya Hotel competition – first place
• 1970 Maçka Hotel ceramic panel competition – first place
• 1976 DYO Painting Competition – jury special award
• 1978 An-Sa Ankara Art Competition – achievement award
• 1979 New Trends Exhibition – honorary award
• 1998 UNESCO AIAP – certificate of honor
• 2000 Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University – fiftieth anniversary plaque of gratitude

Personal Exhibitions;
Ruzin Gerçin has held fifty-seven solo exhibitions throughout her artistic career. These exhibitions took place in many cities, primarily Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir. She has also exhibited abroad in centers such as London and Waterloo. Three memorial exhibitions were organized after the artist's death:
• 2011 Kızıltoprak Art Gallery
• 2011 Istanbul Technical University Taşkışla
• 2012 Galeri Selvin

Death; Ruzin Gerçin passed away in Istanbul in 2011. After her death, her works continued to be exhibited in various galleries, and her place in Turkish art became even more visible.

Start typing to see posts you are looking for.