The Deadliest Sea poster was granted the Encouragement Award at Grafist20, in Istanbul. Additionally, it was one of 24 professional projects that were chosen at Selected 2017 Edition, in Bilbao and was included in the Selected17 Publication. In 2022, the poster was chosen amongst 9,514 submissions from 94 countries, at the International Poster Competition and was exhibited at the International Assembly festival in Glasgow and published in the International Poster Book.
“As we crossed the frontiers...”
International Poster Design Exhibition and Competition, for students of visual communication
International Poster Design Exhibition and Competition, for students of visual communication
Held as part of Grafist20, the 20th Istanbul Graphic Design Week*
Concept Note
--Year 1912--
A young woman recounts her story of leaving Crimea with her family to travel through the Balkans in an attempt to migrate to Turkey, through fear of ethnic cleansing in the pervading climate of war and destruction at the beginning of the 20th century: “As we crossed the frontiers, we were hiding our most precious belongings by sewing them up inside children’s vests.”**
--Year 2016--
The crisis that was triggered in Iraq back in 1990 has made the Middle East a practically uninhabitable place. The war which broke out in Syria four years ago continues to terrorize millions of children, women and men who try to escape their homelands to find refuge in safer countries. They go through great suffering on their way and most end up losing their lives and loved ones. Laws are passed so that the governments of those countries in which they take refuge can legally confiscate their precious belongings.
--Year 1912--
A young woman recounts her story of leaving Crimea with her family to travel through the Balkans in an attempt to migrate to Turkey, through fear of ethnic cleansing in the pervading climate of war and destruction at the beginning of the 20th century: “As we crossed the frontiers, we were hiding our most precious belongings by sewing them up inside children’s vests.”**
--Year 2016--
The crisis that was triggered in Iraq back in 1990 has made the Middle East a practically uninhabitable place. The war which broke out in Syria four years ago continues to terrorize millions of children, women and men who try to escape their homelands to find refuge in safer countries. They go through great suffering on their way and most end up losing their lives and loved ones. Laws are passed so that the governments of those countries in which they take refuge can legally confiscate their precious belongings.
Proposal
The Deadliest Sea Poster is about empathy. People are risking their lives everyday in an attempt to flee war, while being treated like they are the ones to blame for the refugee crisis Europe is facing. If they are lucky enough to find refuge in safer countries, they face various obstacles everyday. The refusal of integration might be the one they struggle with the most. Is a lifejacket enough to provide the safety they need or is it only a symbol of false protection? How can these people get the feeling of belonging in a safer world?
The Deadliest Sea Poster is about empathy. People are risking their lives everyday in an attempt to flee war, while being treated like they are the ones to blame for the refugee crisis Europe is facing. If they are lucky enough to find refuge in safer countries, they face various obstacles everyday. The refusal of integration might be the one they struggle with the most. Is a lifejacket enough to provide the safety they need or is it only a symbol of false protection? How can these people get the feeling of belonging in a safer world?
* This project is commemorating the 70th birthday and 50 years of professional experience of Sadık Karamustafa, one of the founders of GRAFIST.
** Gülsün Karamustafa, My Roses My Reveries, Barbara Heinrich, Yapı Kredi Publications, Istanbul 2007, pg. 55
** Gülsün Karamustafa, My Roses My Reveries, Barbara Heinrich, Yapı Kredi Publications, Istanbul 2007, pg. 55
The Deadliest Sea
Mixed Media -- 70cm * 100cm
