For several years I have been part of a group learning the Turkish art of Ebru, known elsewhere as marbling. In brief, paint is flicked on to the surface of water thickened with a natural gum called tragacanth. The paint on the surface is then manipulated with a stylus and with special "combs" to produce patterns and images. When a piece of paper is laid on the surface of the water, the image transfers to the paper. Ebru was first practised in the 16th century in Turkey and Persia and so-called Turkish paper was exported to bookbinders in Europe to line and cover precious hand-made books.
Nothing so grand awaits my stuff: a good friend of mine who restores antique books has used some in his work but the majority just end up in a large box in my study. However, just recently, we were invited to mount an exhibition in a local shopping mall. The exhibition, called "The Dance of Colour on Water" is in the Oasis Shopping Centre in Bodrum until the end of September. Here are some photographs to give a flavour of the event.
No comments:
Post a Comment