ERAY ÖZBEK BIOGRAPHY

Born in Muğla, Turkey, in 1942, Eray Özbek graduated from the Department of Architecture at the Fine Arts Academy.

Since the 1960s, his cartoons have been published in numerous newspapers and magazines such as Zübük, Gün, Akbaba, Diyojen, 7 Gün, Ünlem, and İzmir Life, as well as over 400 collective albums in 32 countries. His works focus on stains and silhouettes, and he has created a series called "Karikatürküler = Lyric Cartoons" that includes poetic texts.

Özbek has held 19 solo cartoon exhibitions, four of which were abroad, and in recent years has exhibited works in various graphic genres. He has won 135 awards in competitions in 26 countries, including 23 first-place awards and 97 international awards. He has participated in festivals in countries such as Italy, Greece, Iran, Belgium, Ukraine, and Serbia as an award recipient or jury member. He primarily creates works for exhibitions and periodicals.

He has published an album titled "Karaltılar = Silhouettes" (1999) and an online comic series in English called "Mat-Rook (Metruk)" about the adventures of a street dog from İzmir (2018-2022).

Özbek is a member of the Cartoonists Association and FECO (Federation of Cartoonists).