Istanbul Medipol University is launching a new international competition series in the traditional arts under the title “Sustaining Süheyl Ünver’s Legacy through Art.” The first edition of the series is devoted to miniature painting, an art form that held a special place in A. Süheyl Ünver’s work and teaching.

A physician, historian of medicine, art historian, painter, archivist, teacher, and a man of culture A. Süheyl Ünver was one of the most distinguished names in twentieth-century Turkish cultural and artistic life. Through his notebooks, artworks, writings, and students, he left behind a lasting legacy. Trained at the Medresetü’l-Hattâtîn, Ünver produced works in several traditional arts, including miniature painting, illumination, calligraphy, and marbling. He regarded these arts not simply as a heritage to be preserved, but as a living tradition that could be carried into the future through care, discipline, and new interpretations.

Organized by Istanbul Medipol University, this competition aims to honor Süheyl Ünver’s artistic vision, his legacy as a teacher, and his concern for cultural memory through original miniature works by contemporary artists.

Awards

The following awards will be presented to the winning artists:

First Prize: 75,000 TRY
Second Prize: 60,000 TRY
Third Prize: 45,000 TRY
Honorable Mention: 25,000 TRY

The prize-winning works and the works selected for exhibition by the jury will be presented to the public in an exhibition at Istanbul Medipol University South Campus. They will also be featured in an international exhibition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Competition Calendar

Final Submission Date: 12 November 2026
Announcement of Winners: 18 November 2026
Award Ceremony: 10 December 2026
Exhibition Dates: 10–24 December 2026
Exhibition Venue: Istanbul Medipol University, South Campus